‘An attack on freedom of expression‘ - Footballers’ Association on the chant Gibraltar is Spain

During the celebration of their victory at the European Championship, Spanish footballers Álvaro Morata and Rodri chanted "Gibraltar is Spain."

UEFA responded by launching an investigation into this incident. The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) issued a statement regarding the initiation of this investigation.

"AFE declares that this is an unacceptable infringement on the freedom of expression of two workers. The events under UEFA investigation occurred outside the workplace where both footballers perform their duties. They were merely celebrating their recent success with their fans. This celebration did not take place at their workplace.

UEFA has no right to prosecute, let alone sanction, two individuals who freely expressed their opinions far from their workplace. AFE considers this absolutely arbitrary and unjust, an infringement on the freedom of expression of the footballers and an intrusion into their personal freedom.

If sanctions are imposed on both footballers, we will be facing a sort of improper police state, which contradicts Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

If this threat of sanctions by UEFA is carried out, AFE will appeal to the European Union to protect Álvaro Morata and Rodri, while the union reserves the right to take further measures aimed at protecting the rights and freedoms of these workers.

It is worth remembering that UEFA has never previously reacted to events similar to those it now condemns, thereby creating a dangerous precedent," the statement read.

It should be noted that France has appealed to FIFA to address this issue. According to the French Football Federation, FIFA has now initiated an investigation into the situation.

Additionally, this situation has affected Chelsea. The club has begun an internal investigation as one of the participants, midfielder Enzo Fernández, is implicated in the scandal.