Barcelona youngster condemns behaviour as “a lack of respect and something we can’t tolerate”
Lamine Yamal has condemned anti-Muslim chants heard during Spain’s friendly against Egypt this week, describing those responsible as “ignorant and racist”.
The chants were heard from sections of the crowd at RCDE Stadium on Tuesday, where supporters were seen jumping and 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 repeated during the first half and shortly after the break.
A stadium announcement was made urging fans to refrain from racist, homophobic or xenophobic behavior, with the same message displayed on the big screen. The warning was met with whistles from parts of the crowd.
Yamal, who is a practising Muslim, responded on social media the following day.
“I am a Muslim, thank God,” he wrote. “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.”
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The chant is used by supporters in Spain but the reference is usually to opposing teams rather than a religion.
The Spanish government and the football federation condemned the behaviour after the match. Yamal’s Barcelona teammates Pedri and Joan Garcia also spoke out against the chants.
