Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Advertisement

FIFA opens disciplinary case against Spanish football federation over anti-Muslim chants

Egypt's Zizo, left, challenges for the ball with Spain's Cristhian Mosquera during the international friendly match between Spain and Egypt in Barcelona, 31 March, 2026
Egypt's Zizo, left, challenges for the ball with Spain's Cristhian Mosquera during the international friendly match between Spain and Egypt in Barcelona, 31 March, 2026 Copyright  AP Photo
Copyright AP Photo
By Lucia Blasco & Gavin Blackburn
Published on Updated
Share Comments
Share Close Button

Alongside the FIFA investigation, the Catalonia police force has opened its own probe, which is being handled by the Prosecutor's Office for Hate Crimes and Discrimination.

FIFA said it opened disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish football federation on Tuesday because of anti-Muslim chants made by Spanish fans during a game against Egypt last month.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The chants drew condemnation from Spain star Lamine Yamal, the Spanish government and the Spanish football federation itself.

Spanish police had said they were investigating the behaviour by fans during last Tuesday’s friendly game held in Barcelona.

At the RCDE Stadium near Barcelona, Spain supporters were heard chanting "who doesn't jump is a Muslim" during the World Cup warm-up game which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Announcements over the stadium's PA system and on the screens reminded attendees that such behaviour is prohibited, but the chanting continued.

Spain and Egypt players react at the end of the international friendly match between in Barcelona, 31 March, 2026
Spain and Egypt players react at the end of the international friendly match between in Barcelona, 31 March, 2026 AP Photo

"FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings today against the Spanish FA for the incidents in the friendly against Egypt," football's governing body said in a statement.

Yamal, who is Muslim, said the chants made by some of the fans at RCDE Stadium were disrespectful and intolerable. The Barcelona star said it didn’t matter that he was not targeted.

Alongside the FIFA investigation, the Catalonia police force (Mossos d'Esquadra) has opened its own probe, which is being handled by the Prosecutor's Office for Hate Crimes and Discrimination.

On Sunday, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares conveyed to his Egyptian counterpart the Spanish government's condemnation of the racist chants heard during the match.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasised that Spain is "a tolerant and pluralistic country" and reiterated his rejection of racism.

Additional sources • AP

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share Comments

Read more

FIFA raises top ticket price for World Cup final to $10,990 during glitch-hampered sales reopening

US tourism is experiencing a ‘Trump slump’. Will the FIFA World Cup reverse the trend?

England superfan hoping to sell house to fund trip to FIFA World Cup matches