Spain’s 0-0 draw with Egypt was overshadowed by repeated Islamophobic chanting at the RCDE Stadium, sparking a police investigation and threatening the Royal Spanish Football Federation with significant FIFA penalties.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) faces potential FIFA sanctions following Islamophobic behavior during Spain’s friendly against Egypt.
Supporters reportedly chanted discriminatory slurs on three occasions, prompting star winger Lamine Yamal to skip the post-match lap of honor.
While RFEF President Rafael Louzan described it as “an isolated incident,” manager Luis de la Fuente strongly condemned the behavior as intolerable ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The incident could result in a €21,000 fine or a partial stadium closure for upcoming matches.
Local police have opened a hate crime investigation to identify those responsible for the chants. Beyond immediate penalties, officials fear the “intolerance could harm Spain’s case” to host the 2030 World Cup final.
The governing body’s decision now rests on whether referee Georgi Kabakov included the abuse in his official report.
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