FIFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following racist chants heard during a friendly match between Spain and Egypt last week. A significant portion of the spectators at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà, Barcelona, chanted “whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim.”
In a statement, FIFA confirmed the commencement of these proceedings due to the incidents. The chants were reported by the referee in his match report. Furthermore, event organizers used stadium loudspeakers and screens to remind attendees that sports legislation prohibits and actively punishes violent, xenophobic, homophobic, or racist behavior.
Potential sanctions for the RFEF could range from financial penalties to the obligation to display anti-racism messages during future matches. It is not expected that these measures will lead to the closure of the stadium to the public.
The day after the incidents, Lamine Yamal, a Muslim player, described the chants as “disrespectful and intolerable,” emphasizing that “using a religion to mock on the field reveals ignorance and racism.”