Spain's Prime Minister has condemned Islamophobic chants directed at Egypt during a friendly match in Barcelona, after Lamine Yamal spoke out against the abuse. The chants, which included 'who doesn’t jump is a Muslim', are being investigated by Catalonia's regional police force, Mossos d'Esquadra, for Islamophobia and xenophobia.
Yamal, a Muslim Spain international, responded on Instagram, saying the chanting 'was aimed at the opposing team and was not something personal against me, but as a Muslim it is still a lack of respect and something intolerable. To those who sing these things: using a religion as a form of mockery on a pitch shows you up as ignorant and racist.'
The incident occurred during a pre-World Cup friendly at the RCDE Stadium, where Egypt's national anthem was also jeered. Stadium authorities appealed to fans over the PA system to stop offensive comments and displayed an anti-discrimination message on the screen.
Spain's justice minister, Félix Bolaños, posted on X: 'Racist insults and chants embarrass us as a society. The far right will not leave any space free from their hatred, and those who remain silent today will be complicit.' Spain coach Luis de la Fuente added: 'I feel total and absolute repulsion towards any xenophobic or racist attitudes. They are intolerable.'
