In the hours leading up to the match, the Spanish Football Federation expressed its confidence that the World Cup final would be held in Spain.
Nothing has changed, but the unfortunate events in Cornellà are certainly damaging, as were the displays of racism witnessed in the stands at Benfica’s ground during the Real Madrid match, and what happened in the Africa Cup of Nations final held in Morocco.
FIFA commends the response of the Spanish Federation, which adhered to standard procedures by informing the referee of what had happened and intervening both in writing and verbally regarding the damage caused.
Rafael Luzán, president of the Spanish Football Federation, spoke out himself after the match, condemning the racist chants.
Prior to his appearance, he had apologised to the Egyptian ambassador to Spain and to officials of the Egyptian Football Association, and the association’s staff took immediate action following the initial chants against Pedro Sánchez, and then the racist chants.
