‘Disrespectful and intolerable’ – Barcelona star Lamine Yamal issues statement after anti-Muslim chants during Spain game

Lamine Yamal of Spain during the international friendly match between Spain and Egypt prior to the FIFA World Cup, at RCD Stadium on March 31, 2026, in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images Lamine Yamal has issued a statement in response to racist chants that were heard during Spain’s friendly with Egypt on Tuesday night at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona. Spanish police have confirmed they are investigating “Islamophobic and xenophobic” chants that were heard during the first half of the draw.

Yamal has now issued a statement in response to the chanting in a post on Instagram. “I am a Muslim, Alhamdulillah. Yesterday at the stadium the chant of “the one who doesn’t jump is a Muslim” was heard.

I know I was going for the rival team and it wasn’t something personal against me, but as a Muslim person it doesn’t stop being disrespectful and something intolerable. “I understand that not all fanatics are like this, but to those who sing these things: using a religion as a mockery in a field leaves you ignorant and racist people. Football is to be enjoyed and encouraged, not to disrespect people for who they are or what they believe in.

“With that being said, thank you to the people who came to cheer us on, see you at the World Cup. ” View this post on Instagram The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) also condemned the chants after the game, while Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said he felt “total and absolute repulsion towards any xenophobic or racist attitudes. ”