Lamine Yamal responds to racist chants at RCDE Stadium, says he is Muslim | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal has responded to racist chanting heard at RCDE Stadium during Spain’s friendly against Egypt, affirming his Muslim faith in a social media message on Wednesday.

After the final whistle on Tuesday, the Barcelona forward left without applauding the crowd, departing with his family, while team-mates avoided the subject in the mixed zone. The player said in a post that he is a Muslim, alhamdulillah, and that the chants left him hurt.

Although he understood the refrain was aimed at the opposing team rather than him personally, he regarded it as disrespectful and intolerable as a Muslim, and described those singing it as ignorant and racist, while stressing that not all fans are like that.

He added that football is for enjoyment and support, not for disrespecting people for who they are or what they believe.

He thanked those who backed Spain at the stadium and signed off by saying he would see them at the World Cup.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo