Spain Coach Luis de la Fuente Condemns Xenophobia After Fans' Anti-Muslim Chants Against Egypt

MADRID — Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente on Wednesday joined a chorus of national and international outrage after anti-Muslim chants marred the hosts' friendly against Egypt at Barcelona's RCDE Stadium, the latest stain on Spanish football's reputation.

"I feel total and absolute repulsion towards any xenophobic or racist attitudes," de la Fuente told reporters after Tuesday's match, part of Spain's World Cup preparations. "They are intolerable."

The incident occurred during Spain's 3-0 victory and was swiftly denounced by Spanish star Lamine Yamal, himself a Muslim, who wrote on Instagram: "Using a religion as a taunt on the field makes you look ignorant and racist. Football is for enjoying and cheering, not for disrespecting people for who they are or what they believe."

Catalonia's regional police confirmed an investigation into "Islamophobic and xenophobic chants," while the Spanish government, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and club Espanyol all issued statements condemning the behavior.

The Egyptian Football Association labeled the chants a "reprehensible racist act" and criticized the disrespect shown during its national anthem. The EFA said it was coordinating with FIFA "to prevent such offensive incidents from occurring in football stadiums worldwide."

Spanish sports minister Milagros Tolón echoed the sentiment: "Hate, racism, and xenophobia have no place in stadiums or in our society."

Spain, drawn in World Cup Group H with Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde and Uruguay, had arranged the Egypt friendly after relocating the match from Qatar because of regional instability. Egypt will face Belgium, New Zealand and Iran in Group G.

FIFA did not immediately respond to requests for comment on potential disciplinary measures.

Spain has grappled with repeated racism cases, most notably the abuse aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, and the 2023 Rubiales scandal that overshadowed the Women's World Cup triumph. Authorities hope swift condemnation and investigation will signal a zero-tolerance approach before the global spotlight turns to the men's tournament.

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