PP and others condemn Islamophobic chants at Spain v Egypt friendly, Vox do not | OneFootball

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the Spanish government and the PP condemned Islamophobic and xenophobic chanting during Spain's friendly with Egypt at RCDE Stadium, Cornellà, while Vox did not.

Before kick-off, sections of the crowd whistled Egypt's anthem and a small group insulted prime minister Pedro Sánchez. Around minute 20, from Espanyol's Curva end, the chant "Musulmán el que no bote" was repeatedly sung.

The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport called the behaviour absolutely unacceptable and said it did not reflect the vast majority of Spanish fans. It reaffirmed a commitment to tackling violence in sport with institutions.

Ministers Ángel Víctor Torres, Óscar Puente and Félix Bolaños denounced the abuse, criticised silence and linked it to far-right politics. Inclusion minister Elma Saiz called for a firm response against racism and xenophobia.

PP spokesperson Ester Muñoz called the chants lamentable and condemnable, and Elías Bendodo underlined the party's opposition to any racist songs. Badalona mayor Xavier García Albiol said whistling a national anthem is unacceptable and deriding any religion offends believers.

Podemos MEP Irene Montero said the chant was shameful and urged action to stop Islamophobia escalating. Vox secretary general Ignacio Garriga played down the chanting, focusing instead on what he termed other outrages.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo