Spain PM Pedro Sanchez wades into Islamophobia in Egypt game as further chants discovered

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has publicly addressed the Islamophobic chants that took place during Spain’s 0-0 draw against Egypt on Tuesday. The incidents were headline news in Spain, and have caused international embarassment for La Roja.

Lamine Yamal decided not to partake in Spain’s lap of honour at the end of the game at the RCDE Stadium, and on Wednesday released a statement declaring that those who had chanted ‘Whomever doesn’t jump is a Muslim’, were racist. There is also concern in Spain that it could sway FIFA to award the World Cup final in 2030 to Morocco.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez – ‘Unacceptable’ from minority

Taking to Twitter/X to condemn the events at the RCDE Stadium, PM Sanchez was one of a number politicians in Spain to weigh in on the incident.

“Yesterday’s episode in Cornella is unacceptable and must not be repeated. We cannot allow a disrespectful minority to tarnish the reality of Spain, a plural and tolerant country. The national football team and its fans, as well.”

“My full support to the athletes who suffered it, and my applause to those who, with their respect, help us to be a better country.”

El episodio de ayer en Cornellà es inaceptable y no debe repetirse. No podemos permitir que una minoría incívica empañe la realidad de España, un país plural y tolerante. La selección de fútbol y su afición, también.

Todo mi apoyo a los deportistas que lo sufrieron y mi aplauso…

— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) April 1, 2026

Egyptian ambassador: ‘Minority do not represent Spanish society’

There had been a suggestion that members of the Egyptian delegation at the game had threatened to leave, but Egyptian ambassador Ehab Ahmed Badawy told Cadena Cope that this was not the case. He also referred to the chants as unacceptable, but carried out by a minority.

“In fact, my personal experience in Spain proves me to be completely wrong. Spain’s hospitality towards foreigners is a model to be emulated. What happened was unacceptable, but those who chanted against Muslims were a minority and do not represent the majority of Spanish society nor do they represent the feelings of the Spanish government.”

“I have been in contact with the Spanish government, and these contacts have confirmed the friendship that exists between Spain and Egypt. The condemnation from the Ministers of Education and Justice, as well as the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation), confirms this. These were the actions of a minority.”

Lamine Yamal was clearly upset by the chants, but Ahmed Badawy said that the Egyptian side had taken a broader perspective.

“The Egyptian players believe that what happened is unacceptable, but they also know that it does not represent the country, that it was only the attitude of a few. I absolutely do not think that Spain is a racist country. The King and Queen of Spain visited us twice last year. There is a friendly relationship between our two countries.”

RFEF investigation reveals further racist insults

The same radio station, Cope, went on to reveal that in addition to the clearly audible Islamophobia that became headline news, there were further incidents. ‘Spain is Catholic and not Muslim’ was also recorded at the stadium. The RFEF are at risk of being fined for the incidents, or facing a partial stadium closure, depending on what is recorded by the referee’s match report.

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