The forward of the Spanish team Lamine Yamal has described as “an intolerable lack of respect” the Islamophobic chants that a part of the RCDE Stadium sang during the friendly match between Spain and Egypt on Tuesday, and has labeled those responsible as “ignorant and racist.”
“I am a Muslim, alhamdulillah (thank God). Yesterday in the stadium the chant of ‘he who does not bounce is a Muslim’ was heard. I know I was going for the rival team and it was not something personal against me, but as a Muslim person It is still disrespectful and intolerable.“, wrote the Barcelona player on his Instagram profile.
After clarifying that “not all fans are like that”Lamine Yamal has addressed a message to those who did participate: “Using a religion as a mockery in a field leaves you as ignorant and racist people.”
The Catalan winger, who played the first half and was on the field when the chants began, pointed out that “football is to be enjoyed and encouraged, not to disrespect people for who they are or what they believe in“, and ended the publication with a message of gratitude “to the people who came to cheer.” “See you at the World Cup,” concluded Lamine Yamal.
From an area in the back of Cornellà, where usually The so-called ‘La Curva’ of RCD Espanyol is located, The chant “Muslim he who doesn’t bounce” was sung repeatedly, starting in the 20th minute of the friendly between Spain and Egypt, in an offensive behavior that has tarnished the festive atmosphere that existed in the venue.
Furthermore, during the run-up to the meeting, part of the public has whistled the anthem of Egyptwhile insults were also heard directed at the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, from a small group of fans.
The Mossos d’Esquadra have opened an investigation after these Islamophobic and xenophobic chants produced on Tuesday night from part of the stands of the Espanyol field.
