Spanish Football Federation Condemns Discriminatory Chants During Friendly Against Egypt

 

Spanish Football Federation Condemns Discriminatory Chants During Friendly Against Egypt

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has strongly condemned discriminatory chants heard during Spain’s 0-0 friendly draw with Egypt at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium, after an incident in Barcelona sparked widespread reactions from officials, players, and observers.

Chants Emerge Early in the Match

Problems began within minutes of kickoff, when sections of the home crowd were heard chanting: “bote, bote, bote, musulmán el que no bote” — a phrase targeting Muslims. Groups of fans repeated the chant while jumping in unison, quickly raising concerns over its discriminatory nature. What was meant to be a routine international friendly was overshadowed by the behavior in the stands.

Stadium Warning Ignored

Authorities attempted to intervene before halftime, displaying a message on stadium screens and broadcasting over the PA system that Spanish law prohibits “violent, xenophobic, homophobic, or racist acts.” The warning was met with whistles and jeers, and the chant resurfaced early in the second half, highlighting the difficulty of controlling large crowds once incidents escalate.

Federation and Coach Respond Firmly

The RFEF issued a statement, cited by The Athletic, condemning the chants and instructing stadium officials to broadcast messages rejecting all forms of violence and discrimination. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente also delivered a strong response: “It is intolerable. Violent people use football to create space for themselves. They must be removed from society, identified, and kept as far away as possible.”

Players Express Shock and Frustration

Members of the Spanish squad voiced their dismay. Barcelona midfielder Pedri said the locker room was “in shock” over the chants: “We do not agree with any kind of racist chant. We didn’t expect this. Everyone must work together to prevent this from happening in stadiums.” Goalkeeper Joan García echoed the sentiment: “Any discriminatory message, whatever it may be… we are totally against it.”

Impact on Lamine Yamal

The incident may have had a direct impact on 18-year-old forward Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim and started the match. According to Spanish outlet Cadena SER, Yamal left the stadium accompanied by security after being substituted at halftime, without greeting fans. While no official statement was issued, reports drew attention to how such incidents can personally affect players targeted by discriminatory behavior.

Ongoing Concerns Over Discrimination in Football

The episode is likely to intensify debate over the effectiveness of anti-discrimination measures in Spanish and European football. Despite stricter rules and stadium protocols introduced in recent years, incidents continue to occur. For the federation and players, the events in Barcelona serve as a reminder that tackling discriminatory behavior remains a constant challenge — one that extends beyond the pitch and into the stands.

Sources: The Athletic, Spanish media