Former Liverpool and Mali midfielder, Mohamed Sissoko, has expressed concern for Lamine Yamal following “Islamophobic and xenophobic” chants directed at the young star during Spain’s goalless draw with Egypt in Barcelona on Tuesday.
The disturbing chants occurred in the first half of the match at RCDE Stadium, prompting a message at half-time warning fans against xenophobic behavior, with the stadium announcer reiterating the appeal, according to BBC Sport.
The reminder was repeated early in the second half, accompanied by whistles from some spectators.
Yamal released a firm statement denouncing the incident as “disrespectful” and “intolerable.”
Reacting to the episode, Sissoko called the chants a “disgrace” and said he would have serious doubts about representing Spain under similar circumstances.
“It pains me that a figure like Lamine had to go through that. The image Spain has projected is not the one I know. It’s a disgrace. Lamine didn’t deserve what he went through,” he said.
“He chose to play for Spain; he could have chosen to play for Morocco. But he chose Spain, and Spain now has one of the best players in the world.
“Yet he had to endure what he went through in that match. It’s neither fair nor logical. It was deplorable. If I were Lamine, I would think twice about ever playing for Spain again, to be honest.”
Spanish authorities are now investigating the incident, while the Spanish Football Federation has also condemned the offensive chants.
