Spain international Lamine Yamal has reacted to anti-Muslim chants heard during Spain’s goalless draw with Egypt, describing the incident as “disrespectful” and “intolerable.”
The Barcelona teenager used Instagram to respond to the incident, which took place inside the RCDE Stadium during the first half of Tuesday’s international friendly in Barcelona.
In his post, Yamal recounted the chant heard in the stadium and clarified that it was not directed at him personally as an individual player, but still found it offensive as a Muslim.
The 18-year-old, who follows Islam, stressed that while not all supporters behave in such a manner, the actions of those involved were unacceptable.
He also criticized those responsible for the chants, saying that mocking a religion in a football setting reflects ignorance and racism, and insisted that the sport should be about enjoyment and support rather than disrespect.
Yamal ended his message by appreciating fans who came out to support the team and added, “See you at the World Cup.”
Authorities have reportedly begun an investigation into the incident, which occurred during the match against Egypt, a country with a predominantly Muslim population.
