Spain coach Luis de la Fuente condemns xenophobia after fans’ anti-Muslim chants against Egypt

By Canadian Press on April 1, 2026.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The coach of Spain’s national soccer team has condemned “xenophobic or racist attitudes” after fans repeatedly made anti-Muslim chants during a game against Egypt.

Luis de la Fuente was speaking after fans made chants mocking Muslims during Tuesday’s friendly game, part of Spain’s preparations for the World Cup.

“I feel total and absolute repulsion towards any xenophobic or racist attitudes. They are intolerable,” de la Fuente said after the game, which was a 0-0 draw.

Egypt is a majority-Muslim country and Spain’s star player Lamine Yamal is also Muslim.

Spain is due to play Saudi Arabia at the World Cup, and also faces Cape Verde and Uruguay in Group H of the 48-team tournament. Egypt has games against Belgium, New Zealand and Iran in Group G.

Spain was hosting Egypt for the game, which had originally been expected to be played in Qatar before the region was affected by the Iran war. A “Finalissima” game there between South American champion Argentina and European champion Spain was canceled after they couldn’t agree to reschedule.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

The Associated Press