OCTOBER 16, 2026, 21:47\n\nSTATUS: OFFICIAL\n\nThe Spanish Football Federation will take FIFA’s disciplinary decision over anti-Muslim chants heard during the Spain–Egypt friendly to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. FIFA’s Appeal Committee has upheld a $20,000 fine and a measure affecting at least 15% of the available seats at Spain’s next home friendly.\n\nWHAT FIFA DECIDED\n\nUnder the decision reported by Reuters and the Associated Press on October 16, the 15% section must either be closed or allocated to special-interest groups such as families, students and anti-discrimination organisations. Any such plan must be approved by FIFA before the match.\n\nThe sanction relates to the March 31, 2026 friendly at RCDE Stadium near Barcelona, which ended 0–0. A public stadium warning followed after the discriminatory chants were repeated. Lamine Yamal later condemned the chanting as racist and unacceptable.\n\nWHY THE RFEF IS GOING TO CAS\n\nThe RFEF says it acted immediately, cooperated with authorities seeking to identify those responsible and prevented the chanting from being repeated. The federation considers the punishment disproportionate and, after losing its internal FIFA appeal, will ask CAS to review the case.\n\nWHAT REMAINS OPEN\n\nTaking the case to CAS does not automatically cancel the ruling. The fine and capacity restriction remain operative unless the sports court orders otherwise. No date has yet been published for a CAS hearing or decision, and the venue for Spain’s next home friendly has not been confirmed.\n\nSOURCES — Reuters, October 16, 2026: https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/spain-punished-by-fifa-islamophobic-chants-egypt-friendly-2026-10-16/ · Associated Press, October 16, 2026: https://apnews.com/article/25b36f4ed8729dead4bcc500e9093469