\n<\/p>\n
Lamine Yamal said the racist chants during Spain’s 0-0 draw with Egypt in Barcelona on Tuesday were “disrespectful and intolerable”.<\/b><\/p>\n
Police in Spain are investigating “Islamophobic and xenophobic” chants heard during the first half of the friendly at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.<\/p>\n
At half-time a message warning fans against xenophobic remarks and singing was displayed on the screen at the stadium – the message was repeated early in the second half, leading to whistles from some sections of the crowd.<\/p>\n
“I know it [the chant] was directed at the opposing team and wasn’t personal against me, but as a Muslim, it’s still disrespectful and intolerable,” Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who is a practising Muslim, wrote on Instagram.<\/p>\n
“I understand that not all fans are like that, but to those who chant these things: using a religion as a taunt on the field makes you ignorant and racist.<\/p>\n
“Football is for enjoying and cheering, not for disrespecting people for who they are or what they believe.”<\/p>\n
Lamine Yamal, 18, was making his 26th appearance for Spain and played a key role in helping his nation win the European Championship in 2024.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n