Walter Finch
FABIAN Picardo called the chants of ‘Gibraltar is Spanish’ after Spain defeated England in the Euro 2024 final ‘soul destroying.’
The Chief Minister added: “But nothing is going to change as a result of what a footballer in his 20s says, Gibraltar is going to stay British.
“This is a very old trope from the days of General Franco, who used to urge people on to make this chant,” he explained.
“To see young people take it on unthinkingly, without realising what they are adopting, and to see one of the daughters of the King of Spain and the mayor of Madrid chanting along, really is quite soul destroying frankly.”
However, he calmed fears that the popularity of the songs among ordinary Spanish people might translate into a more concerted effort to regain control of the Rock.
“In Spain even a progressive socialist government can’t get away from the claim to Gibraltar, even though in private most Spaniards say to you: ‘Gibraltar always going to stay British, this is just nonsense.’”
The comments come after the Spanish players led fans in the chants during the team’s celebrations in Madrid on Monday after their 2-1 victory.
The enthusiastic chanting provoked fury within Gibraltar and bemusement in the United Kingdom.
The Gibraltar FA announced it would file an official complaint to UEFA, stating: “Football has no place for behaviour of this nature.”
UEFA, which has so far shown zero-tolerance for political provocations during the tournament, has already handed out fines and banned journalists for similar behaviour.
But efforts to defuse the tension from the Spanish side have been half-hearted.
The mayor of Madrid, Jose Luis Martínez-Almeida said during a press conference on Tuesday: “The players did not say anything that the average Spaniard does not feel.”
He added it was ‘a very good song’ and declared: “Listen, we don’t say anything that we don’t think – we think what we think.”
Government spokesperson Pilar Alegría was a little more contrite, asking that the singing be put into context.
“There was a big celebration yesterday [Monday], and what was heard must be put into context.
“No one has any doubt that a country’s foreign policy is set by the government of that country,” she added.
Rodri Hernandez, 28, who plays for Manchester City, led fans in chants of ‘Gibraltar is Spanish’ which were enthusiastically repeated by the crowds.
His teammate and captain Alvaro Morata, who played one season for Chelsea, intervened over the microphone to crowds of thousands in Cibeles Square, to remind Rodri that he played for an English team.
“I don’t care,” was the City player’s response.
