Dani Carvajal has had his say on the controversial chant that upset the Gibraltarian government after Spain's victory over England in the final of Euro 2024.
Upon their return to Madrid following a 2-1 win in Berlin, multiple Spain players led a rowdy crowd in singing: 'Gibraltar es español, meaning: 'Gibraltar is Spanish'.
Apparent ring leaders Alvaro Morata and Rodri - who plays in England with Manchester City - have since been handed one-game bans by UEFA.
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.
It has a land area of just 2.6 square miles and shares a 0.75-mile land border with Spain. The border is manned 24 hours per day and has been since long before the UK, and therefore Gibraltar, exited the European Union.
A topless Dani Carvajal pictured celebrating with a Spanish flag around his waist after helping Spain beat England 2-1 in the final of UEFA Euro 2024 this summer
Spain captain Alvaro Morata (pictured holding the microphone) chanted 'Gibraltar is Spanish'
Gibraltar has been formally considered as British since 1713, nine years after it was captured during the War of the Spanish Succession.
However, Spain has tried to reclaim Gibraltar many times since then.
At the start of the 21st century, Britain and Spain held talks about the possibility of reaching an agreement that would see them shares sovereignty over Gibraltar.
Responding to this, the government of Gibraltar organised a referendum on the plan, with 99% of the population rejecting it.
Despite being, at least partially, aware of the long and complicated history of Gibraltar, Carvajal has insisted that he and his Spain team-mates did not intend to offend anyone or incite any conflict by singing 'Gibraltar es español'.
In an interview with The Athletic this week, Carvajal said: 'There has been a lot of talk about that but at no time was it something to offend or start a conflict.
'Simply, Spain has always competed with England for Gibraltar, which is on the Iberian peninsula, and it was a final against England.'
Carvajal (left) has insisted that singing 'Gibraltar is Spanish' was not intended to cause offence
A photo taken at Gibraltar's Victoria Stadium, showing the Rock of Gibraltar in the background
He added: 'Before the final, there was already a little echo with that chant and we won and [the chant] became a bit more of a joke.
'If anyone has felt offended, we apologise from the group but, come on, at no time did they [England] ever say that they were offended.'
But offence was felt in Gibraltar. So much so that the Gibraltar FA complained to UEFA.
The chief minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo then tweeted a very strongly worded statement that referenced Francisco Franco - Spain's bloodthirsty dictator between 1939 and 1975.
Picardo wrote: 'Mixing a sporting victory and the chant that glorifies the dictatorial politics of a mass murderer like Franco and his fascist regime's attempt to usurp a neighbouring territory, that is also a UEFA nation, is worse than disgusting.
'It sullies the sport of football and the win on the pitch. I fully support @GibraltarFA making a complaint to @UEFA about this behaviour by some Spanish players in celebration of winning @EURO2024. This cannot stand unchallenged. The Rock is OURS.'