The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned anti-Muslim chants by Spanish soccer fans at a friendly match between Spain and Egypt.
Catalan police said Wednesday they are investigating Islamophobic and xenophobic chants during a friendly soccer match between Spain and Egypt in Barcelona. The chants were heard repeatedly from one section of the crowd during the pre-World Cup match, which ended in a draw and was attended by nearly 36,000 spectators.
SEE: Police investigate anti-Muslim chants at Spain-Egypt football match
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“Bigotry has no place in sports or in society at large. Athletic competition should bring people together across cultures, faiths and backgrounds – not spread intolerance. We welcome the swift investigation by Spanish authorities and urge accountability for those responsible.
“These disturbing incidents reflect a broader rise in anti-Muslim bigotry worldwide. It is essential that governments, sports organizations, and community leaders take proactive steps to address and prevent such incidents, ensuring that stadiums remain safe and inclusive spaces for all fans and players.”
Earlier this year, CAIR welcomed a report published by Spain’s Institute of Women, an agency under the Ministry of Equality, that raised concerns about discrimination against Muslim girls who wear an Islamic headscarf, or hijab, in Spanish educational institutions.
Last year, CAIR said that Islamophobia is “spinning out of control” in Europe after a Muslim woman was murdered in Germany and a mosque was burned during anti-immigrant riots in Spain.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com