FIFA has opened a disciplinary investigation against the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following anti-Muslim chants by fans during Spain’s international friendly against Egypt on March 31. The match, held at RCDE Stadium, ended in a goalless draw, but the behavior of some spectators drew widespread criticism. FIFA confirmed that it is reviewing video footage, referee and match observer reports, and security information to determine possible sanctions, which could include fines, matches behind closed doors, or temporary venue bans.

During the first half, anti-Muslim slogans were heard from the stands, prompting stadium authorities to issue warnings on the giant screen. Despite repeated messages, a section of fans continued chanting and whistling. The RFEF publicly condemned the incident, reaffirming its stance against racism and discrimination in football. Spanish police have also begun a separate investigation into the Islamophobic behavior.

Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente strongly denounced the conduct and called for action against those responsible. Spanish player Lamine Yamal also criticized the chants, calling the use of religion as mockery a sign of ignorance and racism.

Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal has strongly condemned anti-Muslim chants heard during the Spain-Egypt friendly match held at Barcelona’s RCDE Stadium. The match ended in a goalless draw, but the incident in the stands drew widespread attention. Several Spanish supporters were heard chanting anti-Muslim slogans, prompting stadium authorities to issue a warning on the big screen during the first half. Despite the warning, similar chants continued in the second half.

Spain’s football authorities and national team coach Luis de la Fuente have both denounced the incident and expressed firm opposition to such behavior. Yamal, who is Muslim, responded on social media, calling the chants disrespectful and labeling the use of religion as a joke an act of ignorance and racism. He emphasized that football should be a game of enjoyment, not a platform for mocking anyone’s faith or identity.

Yamal concluded his message by thanking supporters and expressing hope to meet them again at the World Cup.

Spain has prohibited U.S. military aircraft involved in attacks on Iran from using its airspace, Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced in Madrid. The restriction follows an earlier ban on the use of jointly operated military bases, extending Spain’s stance against participation in Iran-related military operations. Robles clarified that Spain will not allow either its bases or airspace to be used for any war activities linked to Iran.

Finance Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the move reflects Spain’s policy of not supporting any war initiated unilaterally or in violation of international law. The decision means U.S. military aircraft will need to find alternative routes, though emergency flights are exempt from the restriction.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has previously criticized the U.S.-Israel coalition’s military campaign against Iran, while former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened commercial retaliation in response to Spain’s position.

Fifteen-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. has recently trained with Real Madrid’s youth academy, raising speculation about his potential move to the Spanish club. The Athletic first reported the development, later confirmed by Spanish outlet Marca, which noted that the young player could soon join the club officially. He has been practicing with Real Madrid’s Cadet ‘A’ team, playing as a winger while coaches assess his performance over several days.

Ronaldo Jr., currently part of Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr academy, began playing there after his father Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club in December 2022. Before that, he represented youth teams of Manchester United and Juventus. Born in the United States, he chose to represent Portugal internationally and made his debut for the country’s under-15 team against Japan last May.

The teenager’s training stint at Real Madrid has reignited attention on his father’s legacy at the club, where Cristiano Ronaldo played from 2009 to 2018. Observers now await whether the younger Ronaldo will begin a new chapter at the same club that defined much of his father’s career.

Barcelona advanced to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals after a dominant 7-2 victory over Newcastle United at Camp Nou on Wednesday night. The first half was tightly contested, with both sides exchanging goals. Raphinha and Marc Bernal twice put Barcelona ahead, but Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga equalized both times. In first-half injury time, Lamine Yamal converted a penalty to restore Barcelona’s lead. The second half turned one-sided as the hosts took full control, adding four more goals through Fermín López, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha.

Raphinha and Lewandowski each scored twice, while Yamal, Bernal, and López added one goal apiece. The win followed a 1-1 draw in the first leg, where Barcelona had conceded late. Under coach Hansi Flick, the Catalan side displayed attacking dominance and secured their place among Europe’s top eight teams.

The result marks a strong statement of intent from Barcelona as they continue their Champions League campaign, showing renewed form and confidence after earlier struggles in the competition.

Real Madrid secured a commanding 3–0 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16, played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on March 12, 2026. Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde scored all three goals, marking his first career hat-trick. Despite missing key players Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham due to injury, Real dominated the match from the start.

Valverde opened the scoring in the 20th minute, doubling the lead seven minutes later from a Vinícius Júnior assist, and completed his hat-trick in the 42nd minute from a Brahim Díaz cross. In the second half, Vinícius missed a penalty, while City’s Erling Haaland failed to convert his chances, with Antonio Rüdiger making a crucial defensive block. The Spanish side maintained control until the final whistle.

With this result, Real Madrid take a strong advantage into the return leg in Manchester next Tuesday, where City face a difficult task to overturn the deficit.

Spain has decided to recall its ambassador from Tel Aviv and appoint a chargé d’affaires instead, effectively reducing its diplomatic representation in Israel. According to Reuters, the decision was published in the Spanish government’s official gazette on Wednesday.

Spain has been one of the strongest critics of the United States and Israel over their attacks on Iran, a stance that has angered U.S. President Donald Trump. The Spanish government also refused to allow the use of its joint bases in Morón and Rota for the strikes on Iran. In response, Trump reportedly called Spain “annoying” and threatened to impose a full trade embargo on the country.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended Spain’s position, saying that one illegal act cannot be answered with another, as such actions lead to major human tragedies. Spain has also been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in the Gaza war and remains one of Europe’s leading supporters of establishing an independent Palestinian state.

Spain has permanently withdrawn its ambassador from Israel, marking a severe downturn in bilateral relations. The decision, announced in Spain’s official gazette on Tuesday, follows months of escalating tension after Madrid opposed U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. Spain’s foreign ministry said its embassy in Tel Aviv will now be managed by a chargé d’affaires.

The dispute began last September when Spain recalled its ambassador in protest of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Madrid also banned the use of its airspace and ports by arms shipments bound for Israel, further straining ties. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar had labeled Spain’s stance as antisemitic. Relations deteriorated further after Spain recognized the State of Palestine, prompting Israel to withdraw its own ambassador.

Tensions intensified again after February 28, when U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began. The diplomatic downgrade underscores the deepening divide between the two nations over Middle East policy and the Gaza conflict.

Barcelona returned to winning form in La Liga after their Copa del Rey semifinal disappointment, defeating Athletic Bilbao 1–0 away on March 8, 2026. The only goal of the match came from young forward Lamine Yamal in the 68th minute at San Mamés. Receiving a pass from Pedri, Yamal advanced down the right flank and curled a left-footed shot into the far post, sealing the victory for the Catalan side.

The 18-year-old’s strike marked his 19th goal across all competitions this season, following a hat-trick against Villarreal earlier in the league. Despite Bilbao’s attacking efforts, Barcelona’s defense held firm to secure three crucial points. With this win, Hansi Flick’s team leads the La Liga table with 67 points from 27 matches, four points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid.

Barcelona will next face Newcastle United away in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, aiming to carry their league momentum into European competition.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has voiced deep concern over Israel’s increased military operations in Lebanon, which have displaced thousands of people. In a post on social media platform X, Sánchez said he had spoken with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun about the overall situation in Beirut and across the country.

Sánchez assured that Spain would provide full support and humanitarian aid to the Lebanese people affected by the crisis. He also criticized the growing tensions in the Middle East, declaring that it was time to stop the destruction and war. The Spanish leader has also been at odds with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing conflict centered on Iran.

The situation follows reports of intensified attacks in Iran and Lebanon, with significant civilian and infrastructure damage, underscoring the widening regional instability.

Spain has rejected a White House claim that it agreed to assist the United States in a military operation against Iran. According to Al Jazeera, the Spanish government dismissed the statement made by White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, who said President Donald Trump had threatened to halt trade with Madrid before Spain allegedly agreed to cooperate.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares refuted the claim, stating that Spain’s position on the Middle East conflict and any attack on Iran remains unchanged. In an interview with Cadena SER radio, he reiterated that Spain would not allow U.S. bases in southern Spain to be used for any military action outside the framework of the United Nations Charter.

The Spanish government’s statement directly contradicts the White House’s assertion, creating a clear diplomatic rift between the two allies. Observers suggest that this disagreement could further strain U.S.–Spain relations in the near term.

Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister María Jesús Montero stated that Madrid will not become subordinate to Washington amid growing tensions over the use of Spanish bases for a U.S. operation against Iran. Speaking to reporters, she emphasized that Spain would not tolerate any threats and would defend its values.

The dispute intensified after former U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Washington would cut trade ties with Spain for refusing to allow its bases to be used in the Iran offensive. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had earlier cautioned that the conflict could lead to a major global catastrophe. In a televised address, he said Spain would not participate in any action harmful to the world or contrary to its values and interests, even to avoid retaliation.

The statements underscore Spain’s firm stance on maintaining sovereignty and independent foreign policy decisions despite U.S. pressure.

Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said Madrid was surprised by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s support for U.S. pressure on Spain over the Iran issue. In an interview with state broadcaster TVE, Albares remarked that he could not imagine former German leaders Angela Merkel or Olaf Scholz making such comments.

During a visit to the White House on Tuesday, Merz stated that Madrid should be “satisfied” after agreeing to NATO’s higher defense spending target of 3.5 percent of GDP, following Trump’s threat to reduce trade with Spain. The U.S. president issued the threat after Spain refused to allow Washington to use its bases for an attack on Iran.

The exchange highlights growing diplomatic tension between Spain, Germany, and the United States over defense commitments and Iran-related policy coordination within NATO.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump after Trump threatened to halt trade with Madrid over Spain’s stance on the Middle East conflict. In a televised address to the nation, Sánchez said that humanity’s greatest disasters begin this way and warned that one cannot play 'Russian roulette' with the fate of millions of people.

The tension between the two NATO allies has escalated following Spain’s opposition to U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which Sánchez described as reckless and illegal. He also blocked the use of Spanish naval and air bases for U.S. operations targeting Tehran. The dispute underscores growing divisions among Western allies over the handling of the Middle East crisis.

According to Reuters, the confrontation adds strain to transatlantic relations as both nations navigate their differing approaches to regional security and diplomacy.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has described the joint US and Israeli attacks on Iran as the beginning of a 'catastrophe for humanity.' Speaking on March 4, 2026, Sánchez made clear that Spain does not support war and that the Spanish people stand against what he called a growing disaster. He strongly criticized the military actions and reaffirmed his country's stance for peace.

Sánchez recalled that the 2003 invasion of Iraq had made the world less safe and argued that a new war against Iran would not lead to a fairer international order, a healthier environment, or better lives for ordinary people. His comments came as tensions escalated following the attacks in Iran and the broader regional fallout.

In response to Spain’s refusal to allow US forces to use its bases for the Iran operation, former US President Donald Trump threatened to cut all trade ties with Spain, further straining diplomatic relations between the two nations.