Islamophobic and xenophobic are investigated by Mossoss is the Catalonia’s Regional Police
Barcelona, Spain, Apr 1 (EFE).-
Catalonia’s regional police, the Mossos d’Esquadra, have opened an investigation into Islamophobic and xenophobic chants heard Tuesday at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà-El Prat (Barcelona) during a friendly match between Spain and Egypt.
At several points during the game, about ten minutes into the first half and later at other moments, part of the crowd chanted “Muslim, the one who doesn’t jump,” after also booing the Egyptian national anthem at the start of the match.
During halftime, a message displayed on the stadium’s video scoreboard reminded spectators that legislation on preventing violence in sports prohibits and sanctions participation in violent, xenophobic, homophobic, or racist acts.
Spain’s Government Delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto, condemned the incident on social media, saying what should have been an “authentic football celebration” was “shamefully tainted by racist chants from a section of the crowd.”
“An episode that I categorically condemn and that should never happen again,” Prieto added, stressing that “racism has no place anywhere.”
Prieto said authorities had instructed organizers to activate the relevant protocols during the match, which were eventually implemented.
“But the stain remains, and we must all reflect on it as a society,” he added, calling for “firmness, rejection, and a clear defense of the values of respect, coexistence, and dignity that define Catalonia.”
Catalonia’s Sports Minister Berni Álvarez also expressed “deep indignation” over the chants and criticized the delay in activating the protocols.
Speaking to Catalunya Ràdio and SER Catalunya, Álvarez described the atmosphere as “shocking,” noting that an “unusual” situation was already evident when the Egyptian national anthem was booed.
“As events unfolded, I felt great indignation at seeing that no action was taken,” he said.
Álvarez added he approached officials from the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Catalan Football Federation during halftime to demand the activation of anti-racism protocols.
“I made it clear to them that they had to activate them and that, if they didn’t, I would leave,” he said, adding that he was later informed measures would be taken, though he considered the response late. EFE
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