Strong reaction after controversial incident
Former Spanish referee Eduardo Iturralde González has strongly criticised the officiating during the international friendly between Spain national football team and Egypt national football team, following racist chants from sections of the crowd.
The match, played on Tuesday in Barcelona, ended in a 0-0 draw but was overshadowed by incidents in the stands. During the game, some supporters were heard chanting: “Whoever does not jump is a Muslim,” with the chant repeated on multiple occasions.
The behaviour sparked widespread condemnation, with both national football federations issuing statements denouncing the incident. Spanish authorities and police have since launched an investigation to determine those responsible.
Criticism of Referee’s Response
Iturralde González, one of Spain’s most recognisable former referees, expressed anger at the failure to halt the match in response to the chants.
Speaking to winwin, he said: “I am still shocked and angry that the match was not stopped and the protocol was not applied. In the face of these very serious incidents, we must have a zero tolerance policy.”
The referee for the match, Georgi Kabakov, has come under scrutiny following claims that he was informed about the chants during the game but did not suspend play.
Iturralde questioned how such a situation could occur, adding: “The Royal Spanish Football Federation says it informed the Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov, but the referee did not stop the match. This is something I cannot believe. I cannot believe that a referee is informed of racist or xenophobic chants in the stands and does not stop the match and apply the protocol.”
Calls for Accountability
The former official went further, suggesting serious consequences depending on the outcome of ongoing inquiries.
He stated: “If it is true that the Royal Spanish Football Federation informed the referee during the match about these chants, and he did not stop the match, then this referee cannot continue for one more second of refereeing.”
However, he also indicated that responsibility could shift if the information provided to the referee was inaccurate. “But if the Royal Spanish Football Federation says that it informed him, and that is not true, then there must be severe penalties against this federation, especially with regard to racism and xenophobia. There is no room for lies or compromise: zero tolerance.”
Broader Condemnation Across Football
The incident has drawn criticism from multiple quarters, including players. Among those to speak out was Lamine Yamal, who joined calls condemning the chants.
The episode highlights ongoing concerns about racism in football and the enforcement of anti-discrimination protocols during matches. Governing bodies have long maintained that referees have the authority to suspend or abandon matches in cases of discriminatory behaviour.
Pressure Mounts for Firm Action
As investigations continue, attention remains on how the situation was handled during the match and whether established procedures were followed.
The case is likely to intensify debate over accountability in football, particularly regarding the role of match officials and governing bodies in responding to incidents of racism. For Iturralde González, the message is clear: decisive action is essential to uphold the principle of zero tolerance.
