FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish Football Federation after anti-Muslim and xenophobic chants were heard from sections of the crowd during Spain’s friendly against Egypt in Barcelona last week, escalating the fallout from an incident that has already drawn condemnation from players, police and government officials. FIFA confirmed the move on Tuesday in a brief statement, saying it had launched proceedings over events during the match at RCDE Stadium.
The chants were heard during Spain’s goalless draw with Egypt on March 31. Reuters reported that some supporters chanted “who doesn’t jump is a Muslim,” prompting an investigation by Catalonia’s regional police, the Mossos d’Esquadra. The Egyptian Football Association described the behaviour as a “repugnant act of racism,” while Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and the federation also publicly condemned it.
Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim, emerged as one of the most prominent voices condemning the abuse. He said the chants were disrespectful and intolerable, adding that it did not matter that he was not the direct target because mocking a religion was unacceptable in any form. His response helped turn the episode into a wider debate about racism, xenophobia and religious intolerance in Spanish football.
The case adds to renewed scrutiny of discrimination in Spanish football at a sensitive time for the country’s image ahead of the 2030 World Cup, which Spain is set to co-host with Portugal and Morocco. Reuters noted that Spain’s Justice Minister Félix Bolaños also denounced the chants, linking rising racism and xenophobia to far-right ideology and warning against normalising hate.
