The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have condemned supporters who sang anti-Muslim chants during the first half of Spain’s 0-0 draw against Egypt in Barcelona on Tuesday night.
During the first 10 minutes of the match, sections of the home crowd at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium were heard chanting while jumping up and down: “bote, bote, bote musulman el que no bote” - which translates to “jump, jump, jump, whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim”.
A message warning fans against xenophobic remarks and singing was shown on the screen at half-time, while the stadium announcer read out a similar request. The on-screen message read: “We remind you the legislation to prevent violence in sport forbids and punishes the active participation in violent, xenophobic, homophobic or racist acts.”
The announcement to stop the song was met by whistles from the Spanish supporters, who ignored the request and sang the same chant shortly after half-time.
In a statement posted on social media, the RFEF said, per The Athletic: “RFEF condemn the chants and have instructed to send messages through the speakers of the stadium condemning all types of violence on a football pitch.”
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente, one of the world’s top 20 best managers, also condemned the behaviour of Spanish fans who sang the chant.
"It's intolerable," he said. "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."
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How Lamine Yamal Reacted
Lamine Yamal vs Egypt
Lamine Yamal vs Egypt
Lamine Yamal, already one of the world’s best players aged 18, is a practicing Muslim. The Barcelona forward started the match against Egypt but was one of four players substituted at half-time.
According to reports from Spain, Yamal was the only Spanish player to leave the stadium without greeting the fans after the final whistle. It’s claimed the teenager left the RCDE Stadium with his head down while accompanied by a security member.
Yamal’s Barcelona teammate Pedri said after the match: “We, as players, have been shocked by the chants too. We don’t agree to any sort of racist chant. We did not expect it. We all have to work together to stop this from happening in stadiums.”
While another teammate, goalkeeper Joan Garcia, added: “Any discriminatory message against anything … we are absolutely against it. I have heard the chants and the message from the FA in the speakers.”