Anti-Muslim chants at Spain international match: “Global shame”

What had happened? From around the 20th minute onwards, parts of the fans – especially from an area behind a goal – chanted repeatedly racist, anti-Muslim slogans. In addition, the Egyptian national anthem had already been booed by parts of the audience before kick-off. Also insults against the Spanish Prime Minister, the left-wing politician Pedro Sanchezcould be heard sporadically.

The president of the Spanish Football Association, Rafael Louzan, said after the final whistle: “We condemn such situations, which occur selectively and isolatedly.” Louzan pointed out that condemning words from the association could also be seen on the video screens in the stadium during the match. It 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.”

Team boss: troublemakers abuse football “as a stage”

De la Fuente emphasized that “any form of xenophobia, racism and disrespect” is unacceptable. At the same time, he emphasized that the vast majority of spectators in the stadium disapproved of the incidents and booed the disruptors. “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.