Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lamine Yamal finished runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d'Or
ByBobbie JacksonBBC Sport journalist- Published32 minutes ago
Lamine Yamal said the racist chants during Spain's 0-0 draw with Egypt in Barcelona on Tuesday were "disrespectful and intolerable".
Police in Spain are investigating "Islamophobic and xenophobic" chants heard during the first half of the friendly at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.
At half-time a message warning fans against xenophobic remarks and singing was displayed on the screen at the stadium - the message was repeated early in the second half, leading to whistles from some sections of the crowd.
"I know it [the chant] was directed at the opposing team and wasn't personal against me, but as a Muslim, it's still disrespectful and intolerable," Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who is a practising Muslim, wrote on Instagram.
"I understand that not all fans are like that, but to those who chant these things: using a religion as a taunt on the field makes you ignorant and racist.
"Football is for enjoying and cheering, not for disrespecting people for who they are or what they believe."
Lamine Yamal, 18, was making his 26th appearance for Spain and played a key role in helping his nation win the European Championship in 2024.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has also condemned the anti-Muslim chants.
"The RFEF stands against racism in football and condemns any act of violence inside stadiums," it said in a statement on social media.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called the chants "intolerable" and said "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," De la Fuente added.
Tuesday's game was due to be played in Qatar but was moved to the home of La Liga side Espanyol because of the war in the Middle East.
De la Fuente made 10 changes from Friday's 3-0 friendly win over Serbia, with Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal the only player to keep his place, while Egypt were without injured Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
The result also led to Spain, one of the co-hosts of the next World Cup in 2030, losing their top place in the world rankings.
Related topics
Follow your club with BBC Sport
- Published12 March
Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
Get football news sent straight to your phone
- Published16 August 2025
