Egypt FA condemns ‘abhorrent racism’ after Spain friendly
1st April 2026
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The Egyptian Football Association has issued a strong condemnation of racist behaviour by a section of supporters during their national team’s friendly against the Spain national football team.
In a statement released after the match at the RCDE Stadium, the governing body described the incident as “abhorrent” and unacceptable, following reports of racist chants and disrespect towards the Egyptian national anthem.
“The Egyptian Football Association affirms its full condemnation of the abhorrent racist incident,” the statement read, adding that such actions “crossed the line” and must be eradicated from football.
The association also expressed appreciation to the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Spanish Ministry of Sports, as well as football figures in Spain, for their swift condemnation of the events.
Despite the off-field controversy, Egypt’s performance on the pitch was described as competitive, as both teams used the fixture as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
EFA President Hany Abo Rida is now expected to work with FIFA and other international bodies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“FIFA is committed to combating racism and discrimination in football, and we stress the need to prevent the recurrence of such incidents,” the statement added.
The EFA also sought to underline that the actions of a minority of fans would not damage the long-standing relationship between Egyptian and Spanish football authorities, highlighting the warm reception given to the Egyptian delegation in Barcelona.
It concluded by reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to promoting respect, unity and inclusivity within the global game.