Official: Morata handed one-game ban for controversial Gibraltar chant

The outcome of the investigation into the behaviour of Alvaro Morata and Rodri after the European Championship final has now been announced, and both will serve a ban.

Morata captained Spain to a Euro 2024 triumph in Germany and after beating England in the final he and Rodri decided to chant the controversial line ‘Gibraltar is Spanish’, which they have now been punished for as Calcio e Finanza report.

UEFA have decided on the punishment for the duo, stating: “Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Rodrigo Hernández Cascante and Álvaro Morata for their conduct during the public presentation of the 2024 UEFA European Championship trophy in Madrid on 15 July 2024, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee (CEDB) has taken the following decisions:

“To suspend Real Federación Española de Fútbol player Álvaro Morata from the next (1) UEFA representative competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible, for failing to respect the general principles of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sporting events for non-sporting displays and for bringing football and UEFA in particular into disrepute.”

However, Milan do not need to worry about the ban because it only applies to the national team, so Morata will sit out the next Spain game and then he will be able to return. There will be no impact at club level, therefore.

As a reminder, the experience striker has joined the Rossoneri after leading his country to the finish line as the starting striker and captain during the tournament.

The deal ended up costing the Rossoneri €13m as they triggered his release clause, and Alvaro himself signed a deal until 2028 with an option of an additional year. He chose the number 7 shirt, which was kindly given to him by Yacine Adli, who now has taken over the number 94.