Yamal condemns "intolerable" chants as racism mars Spain friendly
Reading Time: 1min | Wed. 01.04.26. | 19:00
Stadium officials twice issued warnings, urging supporters to refrain from discriminatory behavior during the clash with Egypt
Lamine Yamal has condemned the racist chanting heard during Spain's goalless draw with Egypt in Barcelona, calling it "disrespectful and intolerable".
Spanish police have launched an investigation into what authorities described as "islamophobic and xenophobic" chants during the first half at Espanyol Stadium. Stadium officials twice issued warnings over the public address system, urging supporters to refrain from discriminatory behaviour - messages that were met with whistles from sections of the crowd.
Yamal, a practising Muslim, addressed the incident afterwards.
"I know it wasn't aimed personally at me, but it's still disrespectful and intolerable," he wrote. "Using religion as a taunt makes you ignorant and racist. Football is for enjoying and supporting, not for attacking people for who they are or what they believe."
The 18-year-old, already a key figure for Spain following their triumph at the 2024 European Championship, was making his 26th international appearance.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation also condemned the chants, reiterating its stance against all forms of racism in the game.
Head coach Luis de la Fuente was equally direct, describing the behaviour as "intolerable" and warning that "violent people use football to carve out a space for themselves".
"They must be identified and kept as far away as possible," he said.
The match itself, relocated from Qatar to Barcelona due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, ended without goals, but the events in the stands ultimately overshadowed the football.