Lamine Yamal has reacted to the Islamophobic chants heard during the Spain vs. Egypt friendly played in Barcelona on Tuesday, ended 0-0.
On at least three occasions, the fans at the RCDE stadium chanted "whoever doesn't jump is a Muslim", which prompted the match organisers to call for respect via loudspeakers and screens in the stadium, and remind that the "legislation for the prevention of violence in sport prohibits and punishes active participation in violent, xenophobic, homophobic or racist acts."
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Lamine Yamal, star of the Spanish team, was seen by cameras leaving the stadium with a serious face, and on Wednesday he exploded on an Instagram post: "I am a Muslim, alhamdulillah."
"Yesterday at the stadium, the chant "whoever doesn't jump is a Muslim" was heard. I know it was directed at the opposing team and wasn't personal against me, but as a Muslim, it's still disrespectful and intolerable.
"I understand that not all fans are like that, but to those who chant these things: using a religion as a taunt on the field makes you look ignorant and racist. Football is for enjoying and cheering, not for disrespecting people for who they are or what they believe.
"That said, thank you to everyone who came to support us, see you at the World Cup."
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The regrettable incident was the focus of the frontlines of all major sports newspapers on Wednesday in Spain, beyond the sporting results (and on the same night of Italy's shocking elimination from World Cup).