Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Spain-Egypt Friendly Ends 0-0 Amid Anti-Muslim Chants

4/1/2026

29 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The March 30 Spain–Egypt pre-World Cup friendly finished 0-0, marred by anti-Muslim chants from fans and with Mohamed Salah absent for Egypt.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and coach Luis de la Fuente condemned the behavior as intolerable.
The match was relocated from Qatar due to the Middle East conflict.
Spain dominated possession but failed to capitalize on chances, prompting calls for action against racism.

History

Historical Context

The 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany underscored rising nationalism and racism in sports, a trend that has persisted in Spain. Since then, 30% of fans reported experiencing racism at matches, and recent incidents, such as anti-Muslim chants during a Spain–Egypt friendly, highlight ongoing intolerance. Addressing these issues is vital for promoting inclusivity in football and preventing historical mistakes from recurring.

1 of 2

Story summary

The March 30 Spain–Egypt pre-World Cup friendly finished 0-0, marred by anti-Muslim chants from fans and with Mohamed Salah absent for Egypt.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and coach Luis de la Fuente condemned the behavior as intolerable.
The match was relocated from Qatar due to the Middle East conflict.
Spain dominated possession but failed to capitalize on chances, prompting calls for action against racism.

1 / 2