FIFA has ordered an urgent investigation into the Spanish Football Federation following fans' anti-Muslim chants during a friendly match against Egypt, after Lamin Yamal posted a condemnation.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) officially announced a disciplinary investigation into the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) last Tuesday, after a scandal involving fans shouting racially and religiously offensive messages against Islam—Islamophobia—during a friendly match where Spain hosted Egypt and drew 0-0 on 31 March 2026.
The incident occurred at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, where throughout the match a group of home fans jeered and shouted religiously offensive slogans such as "Who doesn’t jump is a Muslim," and booed the Egyptian national anthem before kickoff. These images and sounds were widely circulated worldwide on social media.
Lamin Yamal, the prominent Spanish national team and Barcelona club star who is Muslim, immediately addressed the issue on Instagram, calling the behavior sad and unacceptable. He stated, "Ignorance and racism have no place in football. It is a severe lack of respect." Meanwhile, the Egyptian Football Association submitted a formal complaint to FIFA, demanding strict sanctions.
As a result of this investigation, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) may face severe disciplinary penalties under FIFA regulations, including:
A hefty fine.
An order to play their next home game behind closed doors (no fans allowed).
Stricter fan control measures, overseen by the Spanish government and local police who are currently reviewing CCTV footage to identify the offenders.
This incident worsens the ongoing issue of discrimination in Spanish football, which has previously sparked global scandals multiple times, prompting FIFA to declare a "Zero Tolerance" policy against all forms of discrimination in every tournament.