When the Whistle Blows, Not Hate: Tebas Condemns Racist Chants at Spain-Egypt Friendly
1 April 2026
Overview
Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, weighed in on the racist conduct seen during the Spain-Egypt friendly on Tuesday, as both teams prepared for the 2026 World Cup.
The match finished goalless, but the crowd booed during the Egyptian national anthem and then directed insulting chants toward Islam.
Reactions and Context
The Spanish government, the Spanish Football Federation, and many Spanish figures condemned the incident, including coach Luis de la Fuente and star Lamine Yamal.
Catalonia police opened an investigation into the events, which sparked angry reactions in Egypt, Spain and beyond.
Tebas told the Saudi newspaper Okaz that what happened from some Spanish fans near Egypt was very bad and had no justification at all.
He added that racist chants represented a minority of fans and not the majority of Spanish football supporters.
He backed Yamal's message, saying it was very correct.
Yamal posted a message on his social accounts expressing anger at the chants, calling the perpetrators ignorant and racist.
Yamal said: "I am Muslim, thank God; yesterday in the stadium I heard chants that said: 'Whoever does not jump is a Muslim.' I know these chants were aimed at the opposing team, not at me personally, but as a Muslim, they are disrespectful and unacceptable."
(Read also) Ahmed Fattouh mocks Yamal.
Punchline 1: If football were a stand-up show, racism would be the heckler you wish would go to sleep at halftime.
Punchline 2: You can't score a goal of respect by conceding a goal of ignorance.
