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Esperance must overturn deficit after penalty defeat in Libya

Esperance must overturn deficit after penalty defeat in Libya

13 days ago
Haitham Hassan's Celtic statistics raise questions over his attacking impact

Haitham Hassan’s Celtic statistics raise questions over his attacking impact

13 days ago
Two major obstacles could prevent Yassine Bounou from leaving Al-Hilal

Two major obstacles could prevent Yassine Bounou from leaving Al-Hilal

13 days ago
Egypt face competition from Australia for Brighton talent Younes Ibrahim

Egypt face competition from Australia for Brighton talent Younes Ibrahim

13 days ago
Simba vs 15 August: CAF names Amin Omar after match postponement

Simba vs 15 August: CAF names Amin Omar after match postponement

13 days ago
Yann Diomande puts pressure on Vinicius after starring in Real Madrid win

Yann Diomande puts pressure on Vinicius after starring in Real Madrid win

13 days ago
Hamza Abdelkarim named in Barcelona squad for PSG Champions league clash

Hamza Abdelkarim named in Barcelona squad for PSG Champions league clash

13 days ago
Aaron Wan-Bissaka

DR Congo defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka faces injury assessment after Villa win

13 days ago
Tesla Cybertruck: Riyad Mahrez shows off his taste for luxury cars in Qatar

Tesla Cybertruck: Riyad Mahrez shows off his taste for luxury cars in Qatar

15 days ago
FIFA have fined the Spanish Football Federation $20,000 and ordered the partial closure of a section of the stands at Spain's next home friendly after anti-Muslim chants were heard during the national team's match against Egypt in March. The punishment follows an investigation into incidents at the friendly played at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà-El Prat on 31 March 2026, when supporters repeatedly chanted "If you don't jump, you are a Muslim". According to Reuters, FIFA's disciplinary process found the Spanish federation responsible for the Islamophobic chanting. The ruling has also drawn attention to Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, who publicly condemned the abuse after the match and stressed that using religion to mock people was unacceptable. The Spanish federation has rejected the sanction and plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that the punishment is excessive. Anti-Muslim chants prompt stadium warning The incident occurred during Spain's friendly against Egypt on 31 March, when sections of the crowd repeatedly sang a chant that targeted Muslims. The stadium announcer responded by issuing an audio warning over the public-address system. Officials also displayed a message on the stadium's big screen condemning racist behaviour. The match was further marred by boos and shouts from sections of the crowd during the Egyptian national anthem. The incidents prompted criticism, with the chants becoming a particular concern because of their reference to religious identity. FIFA subsequently investigated the matter before deciding to sanction the Spanish federation. Lamine Yamal condemns Islamophobic abuse Yamal, who represents Spain internationally and is a practising Muslim, spoke out against the chanting after the match. In a public message that attracted widespread attention, the Barcelona forward made clear that he considered the behaviour unacceptable, even though the chants were not directed at him personally. "I am a Muslim, thank God. In the stadium, I heard chants saying that whoever doesn't jump is a Muslim. I know that they were not directed at me but at the opposing team's players, but that is unacceptable because I am a Muslim. Using religion to mock in football stands only reflects that you are ignorant and racist, and it is something that cannot be tolerated." The teenager's response brought further attention to the incident and the use of religious references as a form of abuse at football matches. Yamal also expressed his frustration over the treatment of the Egyptian delegation, particularly the jeering heard during the country's national anthem. "Football is played for enjoyment, not to insult others because of their beliefs and identities." His comments reinforced his position that football should not provide a platform for discrimination based on religion or identity. FIFA impose fine and partial stadium closure Following several months of investigations, FIFA imposed a $20,000 fine on the Spanish Football Federation and ordered the closure of 15% of the stands at Spain's next home friendly. The ruling was upheld by FIFA's internal disciplinary appeals committee, according to reports cited by The Washington Post. The appeals committee maintained the original decision of the disciplinary body, which considered a substantial sanction necessary in response to the incident. The measures represent a financial penalty for the federation as well as a restriction on spectator access at a future home match. Spanish federation plans to appeal The Spanish Football Federation has rejected FIFA's decision and intends to challenge it at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which deals with disputes involving sport. Spanish officials argue that the word "Muslim" is not inherently an insult or a term of denigration. They have also maintained that they assured FIFA that similar incidents would not be allowed to recur. The federation considers the punishment too severe, particularly in view of what it says has been the treatment of comparable incidents in the past. The appeal means the dispute over FIFA's disciplinary action is set to continue, even as the case highlights the wider issue of discriminatory chanting in international football. The controversy surrounding the Spain-Egypt friendly has placed the conduct of supporters, the responsibilities of football authorities and the treatment of religious identity in stadiums under renewed scrutiny.

Lamine Yamal speaks out as FIFA sanction Spain over Anti-muslim chanting

15 days ago
Zamalek fine Nasser Mansi after controversial celebration against Rwanda's Army

Zamalek fine Nasser Mansi after controversial celebration against Rwanda’s Army

15 days ago
Al Ahly consider Hamza Alaa contract change as Yasser Ibrahim talks stall

Al Ahly consider Hamza Alaa contract change as Yasser Ibrahim talks stall

15 days ago
Why Barcelona Star Lamine Yamal Never Misses Real Betis Matches

Why Barcelona star Lamine Yamal never Misses Real Betis matches

15 days ago
Man in a dark suit and light blue shirt wearing glasses, with a FRMF crest backdrop behind him.

Fouzi Lekjaa Appointed Morocco’s Economy and Finance Minister

16 days ago
Morocco international Abde Ezzalzouli has been shortlisted for the Champions League Goal of the Round award after scoring in Real Betis’ 3-2 win over Porto.

Abde Ezzalzouli nominated for Champions League Goal of the Round award

16 days ago
Spain hit with $20,000 FIFA fine over anti-Muslim chants in Egypt friendly

Spain hit with $20,000 FIFA fine over anti-Muslim chants in Egypt friendly

16 days ago
Yomra to name street after Mohamed Salah following Trabzonspor move

Mohamed Salah’s appearance on artificial turf for Trabzonspor reignites Egypt debate

16 days ago
CAF Champions League 2026-27: Full second preliminary-round fixtures and TV channels

Zamalek face defensive concerns as Mohamed Ismail battles knee injury

16 days ago
Stade d'Abidjan

Stade d’Abidjan edge SOL FC in extraordinary 11-goal Ivorian thriller

16 days ago
Mohamed Salah leads Trabzonspor to best scoring start in 16 years

KuPS fans applaud Mohamed Salah despite Trabzonspor defeat

16 days ago
Al-Hamlawi shines against Getafe as Al Ahly interest resurfaces

Al-Hamlawi shines against Getafe as Al Ahly interest resurfaces

16 days ago
Al Shamal to give Riyad Mahrez guard of honour before Lusail match

Al Shamal to give Riyad Mahrez guard of honour before Lusail match

16 days ago
Derradji predicts decisive CAS ruling in Morocco-Senegal AFCON title dispute

Derradji predicts decisive CAS ruling in Morocco-Senegal AFCON title dispute

16 days ago
Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan reveals how the club convinced Mohamed Salah to join, citing the affection of supporters and the Egyptian forward’s impressive start in Turkey.

Trabzonspor coach hails Mohamed Salah as key to European title ambitions

16 days ago
Al Ahly and Pyramids yet to make official offers for Ismaily midfielder Konta

Al Ahly and Pyramids yet to make official offers for Ismaily midfielder Konta

16 days ago

Al-Hilal coach Zinnbauer drops four players before Sidama Buna clash

17 days ago
Mohammed Muntari joins Al Sadd on two-year deal after leaving Al Gharafa

Mohammed Muntari joins Al Sadd on two-year deal after leaving Al Gharafa

17 days ago
Mendy could return against Al-Fayha after Al-Nassr postponement

Mendy could return against Al-Fayha after Al-Nassr postponement

17 days ago
Zamalek set for black-kit appearance against APR FC in Champions League

Zamalek set for black-kit appearance against APR FC in Champions League

17 days ago
Moataz Gamal set to join Zamalek in Kigali before Rwandan Army clash

Moataz Gamal set to join Zamalek in Kigali before Rwandan Army clash

17 days ago
Paco Jemez responds to speculation over his future at Raja Casablanca

Paco Jemez responds to speculation over his future at Raja Casablanca

17 days ago
Ayoub Bouadi impresses against PSG despite Manchester City's 4-2 defeat

Ayoub Bouadi impresses against PSG despite Manchester City’s 4-2 defeat

17 days ago

Hakimi admits Ballon d’Or dream but puts PSG trophies first

17 days ago
Mbappe-score

Mbappe third as Lewandowski tops Champions League scoring list

17 days ago
Daniel Al-Fadhli turns down Libya as AFCON qualifying setback deepens

Daniel Al-Fadhli turns down Libya as AFCON qualifying setback deepens

17 days ago
Mahrez could take 50% pay cut after joining Qatar's Al-Shamal

Mahrez could take 50% pay cut after joining Qatar’s Al-Shamal

17 days ago
'I don't want to set limits': Ghezimes outlines ambitions after ending transfer dispute

‘I don’t want to set limits’: Ghezimes outlines ambitions after ending transfer dispute

17 days ago
Benzarti warns Al-Ittihad against complacency after winning Libyan league opener

Benzarti warns Al-Ittihad against complacency after winning Libyan league opener

17 days ago
Trabzonspor's 2026-27 European fixtures, standings and broadcast details

Trabzonspor’s 2026-27 European fixtures, standings and broadcast details

17 days ago

Al-Ahly and Zamalek fined after offensive chants during Cairo derby

17 days ago