Police have launched an investigation into Islamophobic and xenophobic chants heard during Spain’s friendly against Egypt which government officials said “shame us as a society”.
The chants at the RCDE Stadium, on the outskirts of Barcelona, prompted officials to display an anti-discrimination message on a screen to people inside the ground.
The messages reminded supporters that taking part in acts of racism and xenophobia was a crime, but the chants continued.
Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente strongly condemned the behaviour of some fans.
He said: “They are not representative of football. They take advantage of football, as they do in other areas of life.
“We need to isolate these people from society.
“I feel total and absolute repulsion towards any xenophobic or racist attitudes. They are intolerable.”
The anti-Muslim chants during Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at the home ground of La Liga club Espanyol highlighted increasing concerns about racism in Spanish football.
Spain drew 0-0 with Egypt in Tuesday night’s clash. Pic: Reuters
In a strongly-worded social media post, Spanish justice minister Felix Bolanos blamed the far right.
He wrote: “Racist insults and chants shame us as a society.
“The far right will not leave any space free of its hatred, and those who remain silent today are complicit.”
Luis de la Fuente strongly condemned the chants after the match. Pic: AP
The Spanish Football Federation said it “stands against racism in football and condemns any act of violence inside stadiums”.
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Catalonia’s regional police force said it had opened an investigation into the incident.
