Police Investigate Islamophobic Chants at Spain‑Egypt Friendly in Barcelona

Police in Spain have launched an investigation into Islamophobic and xenophobic chants made by some fans during a pre‑World Cup friendly match between Spain and Egypt in Barcelona, prompting widespread condemnation from players, officials and government figures.

Offensive Chants and Investigation

During the 0‑0 friendly between Spain and Egypt at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà‑El Prat on Tuesday night, sections of the crowd were heard chanting anti‑Muslim slogans, including calls like “whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim,” which are being treated by authorities as potentially discriminatory and xenophobic.

The Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police force, confirmed they have opened an investigation into the behaviour. Officials said they are seeking to identify those responsible and determine whether the chants could constitute hate speech or other punishable conduct.

Condemnation From Players and Officials

The chants drew swift rebukes from across Spanish football and political leadership. Lamine Yamal, the Spanish winger who is Muslim, described the chants as “disrespectful and intolerable,” emphasizing that using religion as a taunt reflects ignorance and racism.

Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, also condemned the behaviour, saying he felt “total and absolute repulsion” toward any form of xenophobic or racist conduct in sport.

Spain’s Justice Minister Félix Bolaños went further, denouncing the chants on social media and warning against the spread of far‑right hate speech, saying racist insults are an embarrassment to Spanish society.

Match Atmosphere and Reactions

The hostile environment began even before kickoff, with some fans whistling during Egypt’s national anthem and continuing to jeer throughout the evening. Announcements over the stadium PA system and on‑screen anti‑discrimination messages urged supporters to stop, but the offensive chanting persisted.

Egypt’s Football Association also condemned the chants as a “repugnant act of racism,” while the Spanish Football Federation reiterated its stance against racism and violence in football.

Broader Context

The incident has reignited concerns about racism and xenophobia in Spanish stadia, where previous episodes of abuse have drawn scrutiny. Many officials stressed that such behaviour has no place in football or society, and called for stronger measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As the investigation continues, authorities and football bodies will review match footage and testimonies to determine whether legal or sporting sanctions are appropriate.