At the Spanish national team’s test match against Egypt, there were anti-Muslim slogans in the stands in Barcelona, as well as whistles during the anthem. Spain’s coach is not the only one to choose clear words afterwards.
Anti-Muslim chants in the stands at the World Cup test match between the national teams of Spain and Egypt (0:0) in Barcelona have sparked outrage. The Spanish national team coach Luis de la Fuente condemned the incidents at the RCD Espanyol stadium in no uncertain terms and spoke of “total and absolute disgust”.
The commentators of various TV and radio stations as well as the Spanish newspapers also harshly criticized the behaviour of some of the 35,000 fans. AS, for example, ran a large headline on page one on Wednesday: “Worldwide disgrace”.
Whistles during the Egyptian anthem
What happened? From around the 20th minute of the match, some of the fans – particularly from an area behind a goal – repeatedly chanted racist, anti-Muslim slogans. According to media reports, the supporters chanted: “Bote, bote, bote musulman el que no bote” (translated: “Jump, jump, jump, whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim”). In addition, the Egyptian national anthem was booed by parts of the crowd before kick-off. Insults against the Spanish Prime Minister, the left-wing politician Pedro Sanchez, were also heard from time to time.
The president of the Spanish RFEF, Rafael Louzan, said after the final whistle: “We condemn situations like this, which occur sporadically and occasionally.” Louzan pointed out that condemnatory words from the federation had also been shown on the video screens in the stadium during the match.
Sports Minister regrets delayed measures
The video read in large letters: “It is recalled that the legislation on the prevention of violence in sport prohibits and sanctions active participation in violent, xenophobic, homophobic or racist acts.”
The sports minister of the regional government of Catalonia, Berni Alvarez, regretted that these measures had only been introduced during the half-time break and thus belatedly. “After these events, I was very outraged that nothing was done,” he explained. During the half-time break, he contacted those responsible at the RFEF and the Catalan Football Federation to demand that the protocols be implemented. “I made it clear to them that they had to implement them and that I would leave if they didn’t”, said Alvarez.
Coach: Football is being used “as a stage” by troublemakers
Spain’s coach De la Fuente emphasized that “any form of xenophobia, racism and disrespect” was unacceptable. At the same time, he emphasized that the vast majority of spectators in the stadium disapproved of the incidents and booed the troublemakers. “Football is not violent – violent people use it as a stage,” said the coach and called for such people to be identified and consistently excluded.
Egypt’s national coach Hossam Hassan explained that he had not noticed the incidents and was concentrating on the game.
Match had been moved from Qatar
The game had been moved from Qatar to Barcelona due to the war in the Middle East and served as preparation for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada (June 11 to July 19). Spain will then face Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and newcomers Cape Verde in Group H. Egypt will face Belgium, Iran and New Zealand in Group G.