Fans warned for anti-Muslim chants during Spain-Egypt match

BARCELONA — Spain fans were issued several warnings to stop racist chants during Tuesday’s friendly with Egypt after a series of anti-Muslim shouts were repeated during the first half.

A message was displayed on the screen at halftime — which was also read out by the stadium announcer at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium in Barcelona — ordering supporters to desist from xenophobic remarks and singing.

The message was then repeated early in the second, with some sections of the crowd whistling the request.

Egypt’s national anthem had been loudly whistled before the game, with supporters then chanting “Musulmán el que no bote’ — roughly translated as “If you’re not jumping, you’re a Muslim” — before whistling again when some Egyptian players kneeled down and kissed the ground at halftime.

The North African country is a predominantly Muslim nation with Islam as the official state religion.

One of Spain’s starting players on the night, Lamine Yamal, is Muslim.

The Barcelona forward’s father is from Morocco and he practices the religion, taking part in Ramadan just last month.

Spain’s game with Egypt was a warm-up fixture for this summer’s World Cup, with both nations qualified for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

La Roja will face Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H, while Egypt are scheduled to face Belgium, New Zealand and Iran in Group G.