7M - Lamine Yamal condemned racist and Islamophobic chants directed during Spain's 0-0 draw with Egypt

Spain winger Lamine Yamal has condemned racist and Islamophobic chants directed during his national teams goalless friendly draw with Egypt in Barcelona describing the behavior as disrespectful and intolerable

Spanish authorities are now investigating xenophobic remarks heard in the first half of Tuesday nights match at RCDE Stadium according to local police reports

Stadium officials displayed anti discrimination messages at halftime and again early in the second period which prompted whistles from certain supporter sections

Yamal eighteen a practicing Muslim who recently finished as Ballon dOr runner up addressed the incident on Instagram stating that while the chants targeted the opposing side rather than him personally using religion as a taunt on the pitch remains unacceptable

The young Barcelona star who earned his twenty sixth cap for Spain and played a pivotal role in their Euro twenty twenty four triumph emphasized that football should unite fans through celebration not division through prejudice

The Spanish Football Federation released a statement condemning all forms of racism and violence in stadiums while head coach Luis de la Fuente labeled the chants intolerable adding that individuals who exploit sport to spread hatred must be identified and excluded from society

The fixture originally scheduled for Qatar was relocated to Espanyols home ground due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East De la Fuente rotated his squad heavily following a three nil victory over Serbia with Yamal the sole starter retained Egypt meanwhile missed injured Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah

Following the stalemate Spain who will co host the twenty thirty World Cup dropped from first place in the FIFA global rankings