Spanish police have launched an investigation into the Islamophobic and xenophobic chants that occurred during the Spain-Egypt international football match held in Barcelona. The incident took place ahead of the 0-0 draw on Tuesday in a pre-World Cup friendly, where Egypt’s national anthem was met with jeers from some spectators.
Authorities at the RCDE Stadium intervened multiple times via the public announcement system, urging fans to stop making offensive remarks. This episode adds to a series of similar incidents that have marred Spanish football in recent years, notably involving repeated racial abuse directed at Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior.
The Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police force, confirmed the probe into the chants during the match. Shortly after, Spain’s Justice Minister Felix Bolanos publicly condemned the behaviour, describing the racist insults as a source of societal shame. He warned that the far-right would continue to spread hatred if left unchecked and emphasized that silence in the face of such acts amounts to complicity. Bolanos reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a tolerant and respectful nation.
Spain’s football federation and national team coach Luis de la Fuente also denounced the conduct of a segment of the 35,000-strong crowd. De la Fuente called the behaviour intolerable and criticized those who exploit football as a platform for violence, insisting that such individuals must be identified and removed from society to prevent further harm.
Rafael Louzan, president of the Spanish Football Federation, described the incident as an isolated and specific occurrence. He stressed that the federation has condemned these attitudes and is determined to prevent their recurrence.
The match, originally scheduled to take place in Qatar, was relocated to Barcelona due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. From the outset, the game unfolded in a tense and hostile atmosphere, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions.
