Kamal Ghorui
Spain’s Lamine Yamal has criticised sections of Spanish fans for anti-Muslim chants during Spain’s friendly against Egypt, saying such behaviour should not be tolerated in football.The incident took place at RCDE Stadium on Tuesday, where parts of the crowd were heard chanting: “bote, bote, bote musulman el que no bote”, which translates to “jump, jump, jump, whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim”. The chant was heard again later in the first half and shortly after the break.Following the chants, a stadium announcement asked fans not to use racist, homophobic or xenophobic language, and the same message was displayed on the big screen. The announcement was met with whistles from some sections of the crowd.Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country. Yamal, the 18-year-old Spain player, is also a practising Muslim and has spoken about his faith before.“I am a Muslim, thank God,” he posted on Instagram.“Yesterday in the stadium, we heard the chant ‘whoever does not jump is a Muslim’. I know it was directed to the opposing team and nothing towards myself as a person, but as a Muslim myself this does not stop being a lack of respect and something we can’t tolerate. “I understand not all the fanbase is like that, but to those who sing those chants: using religion as something to mock people in a football stadium leaves you as ignorant and racist people. Football is to enjoy and support, not to offend people by who they are or what they believe in.”“Having said that, thanks to the fans who came to support. See you in the World Cup.”Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa also reacted to the incident, saying Spain was a tolerant country and not racist, despite what happened during the match.The chant, which is commonly used by Spain supporters in matches, was directed at the opposition in this case, referring to the country rather than a specific individual.The Royal Spanish Football Federation condemned the chants after the match. Yamal’s Barcelona teammates Pedri and Joan Garcia also spoke against the incident. Spain’s minister of education, vocational training and sport issued a similar message of condemnation on Wednesday.
