Lamine Yamal condemns anti-Muslim chants at Spain vs Egypt friendly, calling for respect and unity in football
Spain national team forward Lamine Yamal, a professional footballer for FC Barcelona, on Thursday publicly condemned the Lamine Yamal anti-Muslim chants heard during Spain’s goalless international friendly against Egypt at the RCDE Stadium, addressing the incident through a personal statement shared on social media following the match.
The 18-year-old attacker said he became aware of the chants, which included offensive remarks referencing his faith, during the first half of the fixture.
While acknowledging that the chants were not necessarily directed at him personally, Yamal described the remarks as deeply disrespectful and unacceptable.
In his statement, Yamal emphasised his identity as a Muslim and expressed concern that religion was being used as a target for mockery in a sporting environment.
He urged fans to reflect on the impact of such behaviour, describing it as ignorant and inappropriate regardless of intent.
Yamal further stressed that football should remain a unifying force rather than a platform for division.
His message carried a clear appeal for tolerance and mutual respect among supporters, highlighting the broader responsibility of fans to uphold inclusivity within the sport.
The young forward also thanked supporters who attended the match and expressed optimism about the future, ending his message on a hopeful note as he looks ahead to upcoming international commitments.
Authorities have reportedly opened an investigation into the incident, which has attracted attention due to the nature of the chants and the fact that the fixture involved Egypt, a predominantly Muslim nation.
The episode has sparked wider discussion around discrimination in football and the need for stronger measures to ensure respectful fan conduct.
