The Royal Spanish Football Federation and Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente condemned alleged anti-Muslim chants heard at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona during Spain’s 0-0 draw against Egypt on Wednesday.
During the match, spectators were repeatedly warned against making xenophobic remarks, with messages displayed on the stadium screens and announced over the public address system.
Reports indicated that the warning, which cited laws prohibiting violent, racist, or discriminatory behaviour in sport, was shown again early in the second half but was met with jeers from sections of the crowd, Indian Express reported.
In a statement shared on social media, the federation reiterated its opposition to racism and condemned any form of violence or discrimination within stadiums.
Speaking after the match, Spain coach De la Fuente expressed strong disapproval of the chants, saying he found all forms of xenophobia and racism unacceptable.
He indicated that the steps taken during the game, such as displaying warnings and making announcements, were appropriate. He also suggested that those responsible did not represent the spirit of football and should be distanced from the sport and society.
The incident comes amid ongoing concerns about discriminatory behaviour in Spanish football. Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid has been one of the most prominent voices highlighting such abuse, having faced repeated racial insults and calling for stricter action.
In May last year, a court in Valladolid sentenced five individuals for racially abusing the Brazilian player during a 2022 match.
The court handed them one-year prison terms, later reduced on conditions of good behaviour, marking the first time such abuse in a Spanish football stadium was legally recognised and punished as a hate crime.