Spain and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has criticised chants by Spain fans during a friendly against Egypt in Barcelona, which police are investigating for Islamophobia and xenophobia. The chants, which included 'who doesn’t jump is a Muslim', were aimed at the opposing team.
Yamal responded on Instagram, stating: 'It 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.'
Catalonia’s regional police force, Mossos d’Esquadra, are investigating the incident. The chants have been widely condemned, including by Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Justice Minister Félix Bolaños. Egypt’s national anthem was also jeered before the 0-0 draw in a pre-World Cup friendly.
Authorities at the RCDE Stadium appealed to fans over the PA system to refrain from offensive comments, and an anti-discrimination message was displayed on screen. 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.'
De la Fuente said: 'I feel total and absolute repulsion towards any xenophobic or racist attitudes. They are intolerable.' The match was originally scheduled for Qatar but was moved due to the Iran war. Spain's World Cup opponents include Saudi Arabia.
