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Xenophobic chants mar Spain–Egypt at the RCDE Stadium
The friendly match between Spain and Egypt at the RCDE Stadium was marked by xenophobic chants from one section of the stands. During the match, the chant ‘musulmán el que no bote’ was heard repeatedly, generating strong controversy and reopening the debate on racism in football.
The incident occurred in the first half and was repeated after the break, also accompanied by whistles during Egypt's anthem. In response to the situation, the organisers activated messages over the public-address system and on the video scoreboards to call for respect and remind spectators of the rules against racist and xenophobic behaviour.
The Real Federación Española de Fútbol condemned what happened and described it as an isolated and unacceptable episode. The body insisted that football must be a space for coexistence, although the incident has had international repercussions and has been criticised by various media outlets.
The match, which was meant to serve as preparation for forthcoming international commitments, was thus overshadowed by what happened in the stands. The contradiction that one of the most acclaimed players, Lamine Yamal, professes the religion targeted by the chants was even pointed out. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, a result that took a back seat.
Beyond the sporting result, the episode once again puts the challenge of eradicating discriminatory behaviour in stadiums on the table. The institutional response and the possible imposition of sanctions will determine the next steps after a night that was meant to be a celebration and ended in controversy.