FIFA launches investigation into racist chants at Spain vs Egypt match

FIFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish Football Federation following reports of racist chants during last week's friendly match between Spain and Egypt, as reported by Spanish media.

The match, held on March 31 at the RCD Espanyol stadium in Cornellà, was overshadowed by Islamophobic chants from a section of the crowd, igniting widespread controversy. This incident has sparked outrage across Spain and prompted an investigation by the Catalan police.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the episode as «unacceptable,» emphasizing that a «minority» of fans have «tarnished» the country's reputation. Spain is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco.

FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, who also plays for the Spanish national team, criticized the chants as «an intolerable lack of respect.»

Despite efforts by authorities and existing judicial rulings, this incident underscores the persistent challenges Spanish football faces in combating racism in stadiums, where such occurrences have been on the rise in recent months.

Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior, a prominent figure in the fight against discrimination in football, has frequently been targeted since his arrival in 2018, though only a fraction of these incidents have led to sanctions.