Egypt's midfielder #19 Marwan Attia prostrates to God at the end of the international friendly football match between Spain and Egypt at RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat, near Barcelona. AFP
Egypt were held to a 0-0 draw by Spain at the RCDE Stadium as both sides prepared for this summer’s World Cup.
Egypt’s national anthem was jeered before kickoff, while anti-Muslim chants were heard from the stands.
Stadium officials responded by repeatedly urging fans over the public address system to stop the offensive chants.
“The Egyptian FA fully condemns the disgusting racist incident at the RCDE Stadium, where some fans made racist chants,” the EFA said in a statement on its official social media accounts on Wednesday.
“We totally reject and condemn these incidents, including the disrespect shown to the national anthem. This behavior has no place in football and is a negative phenomenon that must be confronted collectively.”
Spain is home to a large Muslim population, including national team player Lamine Yamal.
Tuesday’s incident is the latest in a series of racist episodes in Spanish football in recent years, including repeated abuse directed at Vinicius Junior.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation and Spain coach Luis de la Fuente condemned the chants on Wednesday, while Spanish police said they were investigating what they described as “Islamophobic and xenophobic” behavior.
“What we’ve done is condemn these kinds of attitudes and say they must not be repeated,” Spanish FA president Rafael Louzan said.
“It’s intolerable,” De la Fuente told reporters after the match, calling those responsible “a disgrace”.
“Violent people use football to carve out a space for themselves. They must be removed from society, identified and kept as far away as possible,” he added.
The police statement followed comments by Spain’s Justice Minister Felix Bolanos, who said racist insults and chants “embarrass us as a society”.
“The far right will not leave any space free from their hatred, and those who remain silent today will be complicit,” he added on X.
“We continue working for a country that is tolerant and respectful of everyone.”
Egypt FA appreciates support
The EFA welcomed the condemnation from Spanish officials and players, adding that its president Hany Abo Rida, a member of the FIFA Council, was working with world football’s governing body and other stakeholders to combat racism.
“What happened is totally unacceptable. FIFA is fighting racism in football, and the recurrence of such incidents cannot be tolerated. All parties must work to prevent them in future,” the statement said.
The EFA added that the incident would not affect relations between the two federations, citing the warm welcome and support provided to Egypt’s delegation in Spain.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: