The Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, has spoken publicly about the anti-Islam chants that happened during Spain’s 0-0 draw with Egypt on Tuesday. The incidents were headline news in Spain, and caused international embarrassment for La Roja.
Lamine Yamal decided not to participate in the Spanish leg of honor at the end of the game at the RCDE Stadium, and on Wednesday he issued a statement announcing that those who were singing ‘Anyone who does not jump is a Muslim’, are racist. There is also concern in Spain that it may persuade FIFA to give Morocco the finals of the World Cup in 2030.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez – ‘Invalid’ for minors
Taking to Twitter/X to criticize the events in the RCDE stadiums, PM Sanchez was one of many politicians in Spain to reflect on this incident.
“Yesterday’s episode in Cornella is unacceptable and must not be repeated. We cannot allow a disrespectful few to tarnish the truth of Spain, a country with many people and tolerance. The national football team and its fans as well.”
“I fully support the injured athletes, and I applaud them, for their respect, who help us become a better country.”
El episodio de ayer en Cornellà is unacceptable and not repeated. No podemos permitir que una incívica minority empañe la realidad de España, un país plural y tolerante. La selección de fútbol y su afición, también.
Todo mi apoyo a los deportistas que lo sufrieron y mi aplauso…
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) April 1, 2026
Egyptian Ambassador: ‘The minority is not harming Spanish society’
There was a suggestion that members of the Egyptian team in the game threatened to leave, but the Egyptian ambassador Ehab Ahmed Badawy told Cadena Cope that this is not the case. He also called the chants unacceptable, but they are driven by a minority.
“Actually, my experience in Spain proves me completely wrong. Spain’s hospitality to foreigners is an example to be emulated. What happened was unacceptable, but those who chanted against Muslims were a minority and do not represent the majority of Spanish society and do not represent the feelings of the Spanish government.”
“I have been in contact with the Spanish government, and these contacts confirmed the friendship that exists between Spain and Egypt. The condemnation of the Minister of Education and Justice, and the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation), confirms this. These were the actions of a few.”
Lamine Yamal was clearly upset by the chants, but Ahmed Badawy said the Egyptian side took a broader view.
“The Egyptian players believe that what happened is unacceptable, but they also know that it does not represent the country, that it was only the attitude of a few. I do not think that Spain is a racist country. The King and Queen of Spain visited us twice last year. There is a friendly relationship between our two countries.”
The RFEF investigation reveals other racist insults
The same radio station, Cope, went on to reveal that apart from Islamophobia which is clearly heard and has become a headline story, there are other incidents. ‘Spain is Catholic not Muslim’ was also recorded in the stadium. The RFEF is at risk of being fined for these incidents, or facing a stadium ban, depending on what is written in the referee’s match report.
