A recent friendly match between Spain and Egypt, which ended in a 0-0 draw, was unfortunately overshadowed by islamophobic chants.
Played at the RCDE Stadium, home of RCD Espanyol, the game yielded a disappointing outcome for Spain, allowing France to slightly edge ahead in the FIFA rankings. However, the true regret stems from the bigoted remarks shouted by certain Barcelona supporters, targeting the Egyptian players. The offensive chant heard was: “Whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim.”
From the outset, the Egyptian national anthem was met with whistles from some sections of the crowd. This was followed by a series of racist and anti-Muslim chants, which in turn drew boos and disapproval from other disgusted spectators. The match organizers were compelled to use the stadium’s loudspeakers to call for respect and condemn the verbal abuse.
In a striking irony, Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, received an ovation from the same fans who later yelled the anti-Muslim slogans. The match itself, described as rather dull, also saw the debut of goalkeeper Joan García. His previous move from Espanyol to FC Barcelona is considered a betrayal by many Espanyol fans, leading to some jeers upon his return to the stadium, though less intense than when he plays there with Barça.