Lamine Yamal speaks out against Spain fans’ ‘ignorant and racist’ chanting: ‘I am a Muslim’

Spain’s Lamine Yamal says those who sang anti-Muslim chants during his side’s home friendly against Egypt are “ignorant and racist”.

Sections of the crowd at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium in Catalonia on Tuesday were seen jumping and heard singing: “bote, bote, bote musulman el que no bote”, which translates to “jump, jump, jump, whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim”. The chant was heard later in the first half and shortly after the break.

Following the song, the stadium announcer requested fans not use racist, homophobic or xenophobic chants, with a similar message displayed on a big screen in the ground. The announcement was met with whistles from the stands.

Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country. Yamal, Spain’s 18-year-old prodigy, is also a practising Muslim who has regularly spoken about his faith.

“I am a Muslim, thank God,” he posted on Instagram on Wednesday.

“Yesterday in the stadium, we heard the chant ‘whoever does not jump is a Muslim’. I know it was directed to the opposing team and nothing towards myself as a person, but as a Muslim myself this does not stop being a lack of respect and something we can’t tolerate.

“I understand not all the fanbase is like that, but to those who sing those chants: using religion as something to mock people in a football stadium leaves you as ignorant and racist people. Football is to enjoy and support, not to offend people by who they are or what they believe in.

“Having said that, thanks to the fans that came to support. See you in the World Cup.”

The style of chant is typically used by Spain supporters during matches, but with the nation the team is playing the subject of the chant, as opposed to a specific religion.

The chant was condemned by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after the match on Tuesday, with Yamal’s Barcelona team-mates Pedri and Joan Garcia also decrying the incidents. Spain’s minister of education, vocational training and sport posted a similar message of condemnation on Wednesday.

The Athletic has contacted FIFA and the Egyptian Football Association for comment.

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