Spain: Anti-Muslim Chants Mar Egypt Soccer Friendly

Spanish football authorities have launched an inquiry into reports of Islamophobic and xenophobic chants by fans during a recent international match between Spain and Egypt. The game, initially scheduled in Qatar, was relocated to Barcelona due to the ongoing US-Israeli conflict over Iran. Despite a 0-0 draw, the encounter was overshadowed by persistent anti-Muslim vocalizations directed at the Egyptian team.

Coaches’ Response to Fan Behavior

Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, expressed strong disapproval of the chants, calling the actions “absolutely unacceptable.” He criticized the presence of xenophobia, racism, and disrespect in the stadium, emphasizing that such behavior should not be tolerated. While acknowledging that most fans condemned the incident, de la Fuente demanded that those responsible be banned from future matches.

“Violent people use football to carve out a space for themselves. They must be removed from society, identified, and kept as far away as possible,” de la Fuente stated.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) aligned with the coach’s stance, condemning the behavior. Stadium operators had previously displayed a reminder on scoreboards, urging fans to recall that laws against sports-related violence penalize active participation in xenophobic, homophobic, racist, or violent acts. Despite repeated requests, the offensive chants continued during the first half.

Justice Minister’s Criticism

Spain’s Justice Minister, Felix Bolanos, added his voice to the backlash, asserting that “racist insults and chants shame us as a society.” The incident reflects a pattern of similar occurrences in recent years, with high-profile players like Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid frequently targeted by racist abuse.

Catalonia’s Mossos d’Esquadra regional police force confirmed their investigation into the chants at RCDE Stadium, highlighting the need to address the issue within the sports community.