Racist chants mar Spain’s Catalonia return as "Musulmán el que no bote" heard at RCDE Stadium | OneFootball

Spain’s first game in Catalonia for four years was marred by racist chanting during the friendly against Egypt at the RCDE Stadium. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, chants of "Musulmán el que no bote" were clearly audible among more than 35,000 spectators.

An initially family-friendly mood faded as offensive slogans were repeated. Boos overlapped Egypt’s anthem, then whistles met every opposing name and their appearances.

Inside the opening half hour, political chants including "Puigdemont a prisión" and "Pedro Sánchez, hijo de puta" were heard. By then a federation delegate had approached the fourth official about what to do if it continued.

At half-time, after some Egypt players prayed by the touchline, whistling resumed. During the interval the PA and big screens urged supporters to avoid racist, xenophobic, homophobic or violent conduct in line with legislation.

FIFA’s anti-racism protocol, approved in May 2024, enforces zero tolerance with three steps, stop, suspend, abandon. It also introduces a crossed-arms gesture to report abuse.

After the break, a further and more limited attempt at racist chanting was drowned out by other fans, and the PA repeated the message during a stoppage. A radical group in the south end, in the Fondo Cornellà’s unofficial singing section, booed. Lamine Yamal, publicly Muslim, did not acknowledge the stands at full time and went to the car park without speaking to the media, seemingly annoyed.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo