Spain and coach De la Fuente condemn anti-muslim chants after Egypt friendly draw

Spain’s football authorities and head coach Luis de la Fuente have strongly condemned anti-Muslim chants that marred their goalless draw with Egypt in a pre-World Cup friendly in Barcelona on Tuesday.

The match at RCDE Stadium, which ended 0-0, was overshadowed by offensive behaviour from sections of the 35,000-strong crowd, including jeering of Egypt’s national anthem. Stadium announcements were repeatedly made urging supporters to refrain from making discriminatory remarks.

Spanish Football Federation president Rafael Louzán described the incidents as “specific and isolated situations” but insisted such behaviour must be eliminated from the game.

“What we’ve done is condemn these kinds of attitudes and to say they must not be repeated,” said Rafael Louzan.

De la Fuente was equally firm in his response, labelling the conduct “intolerable” and calling for those responsible to be identified and removed from the sport.

“It’s intolerable,” he told reporters as soon as he sat down in the press room.

“Violent people use football to carve out a space for themselves.

“They must be removed from society, identified, and kept as far away as possible,” the 64-year-old added.

The match, moved from Qatar to Barcelona due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, was Spain’s penultimate home friendly before their World Cup campaign. Despite controlling large portions of the game, the European champions were unable to find a breakthrough.

Spain created several chances, with Ferran Torres going close in the first half, while Pedri and Cristhian Mosquera were denied after the break. Alejandro Grimaldo struck the crossbar in the closing minutes as Spain pressed for a winner.

Egypt, missing star forward Mohamed Salah due to injury, also threatened, with Omar Marmoush hitting the post in the first half.

The game also saw Egypt reduced to 10 men late on after Hamdy Fathy received a second yellow card.

De la Fuente used the match to experiment with his squad, making 10 changes from the previous friendly against Serbia, with only Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal retaining his place.

Spain continue their preparations for the World Cup with upcoming fixtures against Iraq and Peru, as they build toward a Group H campaign in North America. Egypt, meanwhile, are set to feature in Group G alongside Belgium, Iran and New Zealand.