'Worldwide disgrace': Spain condemns racist incidents at Egypt game
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente gestures during an International Friendly match between Spain and Egypt at RCDE Stadium. Felipe Mondino/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente and the nation's football body RFEF have condemned anti-Muslim chants by fans during the team's 0-0 draw with Egypt in a friendly international. De la Fuente spoke of "total and absolute disgust" as he said "any form of xenophobia, racism and disrespect” was unacceptable.
He called for offenders to be identified and banned but also said that the vast majority of spectators in the Barcelona stadium had condemned the incidents and booed the troublemakers. “Football is not violent – violent people use it as a stage,” De la Fuente said. The incidents were also criticised in the media, with sports paper As speaking of "worldwide disgrace" on its front page on Wednesday.
Some fans booed when the Egypt anthem was played before kick-off and anti-Muslim and racist chants and slogans started around halfway through the first half, mainly in one area of the stadium. The abuse was also directed at Spanish left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. RFEF president Rafael Louzán said post-match that we "condemn such situations, which occur sporadically and in isolated cases.
” Louzán said the association’s condemnation had also been displayed on the stadium’s video screens during the match. “Please be reminded that legislation on the prevention of violence in sport prohibits and penalises active participation in violent, xenophobic, homophobic or racist acts,” the message on the screen read. The RFEF also posted on X that it "joins the message of our football against racism and condemns any act of violence in the stadiums.
” Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said he didn't notice the incidents because he was concentrating on the match.