Spanish police have launched an investigation into alleged Islamophobic and xenophobic chants during the Spain–Egypt international football match held in Barcelona, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The incident occurred during a pre-World Cup friendly at RCDE Stadium, where sections of supporters reportedly engaged in offensive chanting and jeered Egypt’s national anthem.
Catalonia’s regional police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, stated on social media that they are examining the matter, while government officials condemned the behaviour, calling it embarrassing for society. Stadium authorities had repeatedly issued public announcements urging fans to refrain from making discriminatory remarks, with messages also displayed on screens during the match.
Spain’s Justice Minister Félix Bolaños strongly criticised the incident, describing racist and discriminatory chants as unacceptable. The Spanish Football Federation also issued a condemnation, aligning with broader political and sporting institutions that denounced the behaviour.
Spain forward Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, publicly condemned the chants, calling them intolerable and a sign of ignorance and racism. The episode adds to ongoing concerns about racism in Spanish football, where multiple incidents in recent years have drawn scrutiny and legal action.
The match, which ended in a 0–0 draw, was played in a tense atmosphere, with authorities noting repeated interventions to control crowd behaviour. Investigations are ongoing, and no immediate sanctions have been announced.