Spain Faces Investigation Over Anti-Muslim Chants During Egypt Friendly

Police Probe Discriminatory Behavior at RCDE Stadium

Catalonia's regional police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra, has opened an investigation into what it describes as "Islamophobic and xenophobic" chants directed at the Egyptian national team during an international friendly against Spain on Tuesday night. The match, held at Barcelona's RCDE Stadium as part of Spain's World Cup preparations, was marred by repeated offensive behavior from a section of the home crowd.

Official Condemnation from Top Levels

Spain's head coach, Luis de la Fuente, did not mince words in his post-match assessment, publicly condemning any form of discriminatory conduct. "We must categorically reject any xenophobic or racist attitudes," De la Fuente stated, distancing the national team from the actions of the fans involved. This sentiment was echoed at the highest levels of government on Wednesday, with Spain's Justice Minister, Félix Bolaños, also speaking out against the incidents.

The trouble began even before kickoff, with Egypt's national anthem being met with jeers from parts of the stadium. As the match progressed, anti-Muslim chants were heard on multiple occasions. Stadium authorities were forced to intervene, issuing appeals over the public address system urging spectators to refrain from making offensive comments. An anti-discrimination message was also displayed on the stadium's big screens in an attempt to quell the behavior.

A Persistent Problem in Spanish Football?

The incident raises fresh concerns about discrimination in Spanish football stadiums, coming just months after similar high-profile cases involving other clubs. While the match itself ended in a goalless draw, the off-field events have dominated the headlines, overshadowing the sporting contest. The police investigation will now seek to identify individuals involved in the chanting, with potential legal consequences for those found responsible.

Key Takeaways

• Catalonian police are investigating "Islamophobic and xenophobic" chants by Spain fans during a friendly against Egypt in Barcelona.
• Spain's coach, Luis de la Fuente, and Justice Minister, Félix Bolaños, have both publicly condemned the behavior.
• Egypt's national anthem was jeered, and stadium officials made multiple PA announcements asking fans to stop offensive chants.
• The incident occurred despite anti-discrimination messages being displayed on stadium screens.
• The match, a World Cup warm-up, ended 0-0, but was overshadowed by the discriminatory conduct.