Spanish Prime Minister condemns fans’ racist behaviour towards Muslims

Spain — Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has condemned the racist chants heard at the Cornella stadium during his country’s friendly match against Egypt, stressing that what happened was “unacceptable and must not be repeated”, and that “an unruly minority cannot be allowed to tarnish the image of Spain as a diverse and tolerant country, nor that of its national team and its fans”. 

In a post on the “X” platform, Sánchez added his full support for the players who were subjected to abuse, praising all those who contribute to promoting values of respect within Spanish society. 

Offensive chants spark controversy

The Prime Minister’s comments followed incidents at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà, where a group of fans chanted racist and Islamophobic slogans during the friendly match between Spain and Egypt, which ended in a goalless draw. 

Among the chants that sparked controversy was the phrase: “Whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim”, which was repeated despite warnings inside the stadium to cease any discriminatory behaviour. 

The incident was met with widespread condemnation from the Spanish Football Federation and the national team players, as well as government officials, with the national team coach describing it as “unacceptable and not representative of football”. 

The police in Catalonia have also launched an official investigation into the incident, as it may be classified as a hate crime, amid growing concern over the recurrence of racist incidents in Spanish stadiums. 

Spain — Repercussions beyond the pitch

The incident did not end with the match, as it sparked a wave of international criticism, amid warnings of its impact on the image of Spanish football, particularly with major tournaments approaching, and the possibility of intervention by FIFA should the violations be proven. 

A number of players, including young star Lamine Yamal, also expressed their displeasure at the chants, describing them as unacceptable racist behaviour that runs counter to the values of sport.

Featured image via the Canary