HIBAPRESS – Sports Department
The issue of Spain's readiness to host major matches of the 2030 World Cup has resurfaced, following the spread of video recordings documenting racist and anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim chants by a number of Real Madrid fans, before the match against Inter Milan last Tuesday, around the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
The circulating clips showed scenes that included racist and anti-Semitic and anti-Islamic phrases, in addition to the burning of Moroccan flags and pictures of the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, in an incident that sparked widespread criticism and reignited the debate about the ability of Spanish stadiums to ensure a safe and discrimination-free environment during major international events.
The area around the stadium and its stands also witnessed slogans related to the city of Ceuta, which Real Madrid itself confirmed after announcing that its fans had organized a tribute to the city before the match, which included raising cards bearing its emblem in the middle of the stadium.
This incident gains additional importance in light of the ongoing competition between Spain and Morocco to host the 2030 World Cup final, as the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium stands out as one of Spain's most prominent options, while Morocco is betting on the project of the Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane, which has an expected capacity of around 115,000 spectators. So far, FIFA has not officially announced the stadium that will host the final, despite the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, announcing that the final will be held at the Hassan II Stadium, which FIFA has not officially confirmed.
Could there be sanctions?
From a disciplinary perspective, chants from some fans do not automatically mean punishment for the Spanish national team or the Royal Spanish Football Federation. Responsibility is linked to the organizing body of the match and the provable facts, in addition to the extent of the club and authorities' commitment to the procedures adopted to combat racism and discrimination.
FIFA is indeed dealing strictly with such behaviors, as it imposed sanctions on the Argentine Football Association last August due to discriminatory chants and gestures during the 2026 World Cup, which included financial fines of $321,000, in addition to playing two home matches with limited attendance of 50%.
A blow to the Bernabéu's image rather than a direct penalty for Spain
The most important aspect of the issue is not only the possibility of a penalty, but also the image that such scenes might leave with the bodies responsible for evaluating the stadiums and cities hosting the World Cup.
The stadium nominated to host the final match is evaluated not only in terms of its capacity, infrastructure, and organizational experience, but also in terms of security, combating discrimination, and its ability to provide a suitable atmosphere for fans of various nationalities and cultures.
From this perspective, the controversy sparked by the Bernabéu scenes could put additional pressure on the Spanish bid, especially if such incidents are repeated or followed by official disciplinary measures.
On the other hand, the Moroccan project associated with the Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane, with its huge capacity and modern specifications, gives Morocco an additional card in the competition, although the final decision remains with FIFA.
