April 2 – Spanish superstar Lamine Yamal has condemned anti-Muslim chanting heard during Spain’s international friendly against Egypt, describing those responsible as “ignorant and racist” following an incident in Catalonia on Tuesday night.
Sections of the crowd at the RCDE Stadium were heard chanting “bote, bote, bote musulmán el que no bote” – roughly translated as “jump, jump, jump, whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim” – during the first half and again shortly after the break.
A stadium announcement urged supporters to refrain from racist, homophobic or xenophobic behaviour, with the message also displayed on the big screen. That peacemaking was met with whistles from large parts of the crowd.
Yamal, who at 18-years-old is already the star man for Spain, is a practising Muslim. He took to social media to address the incident directly to his 40 million followers.
“I am a Muslim, thank God,” he wrote. “Yesterday in the stadium, we heard the chant ‘whoever does not jump is a Muslim’. I know it was directed to the opposing team and nothing towards myself as a person, but as a Muslim myself this does not stop being a lack of respect and something we can’t tolerate.
“I understand not all the fanbase is like that, but to those who sing those chants: using religion as something to mock people in a football stadium leaves you as ignorant and racist people. Football is to enjoy and support, not to offend people by who they are or what they believe in.
“Having said that, thanks to the fans that came to support. See you in the World Cup.”
The chants – aimed at the predominantly Muslim Egyptian side – were condemned by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after the match, with several of Yamal’s international teammates also speaking out.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez added his voice: “The incident in Cornellà is unacceptable and must not happen again,” he said. “We cannot allow an uncivil minority to tarnish the reality of Spain, a plural and tolerant country – including our national team and its fans.
“My full support goes to the athletes who suffered it, and my applause to those who, through their respect, help make us a better country.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]