Spanish fans disgraced themselves again on the international stage and now questions are being asked over their World Cup hosting suitability.
Luis de la Fuente’s team drew 0-0 with Egypt at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium and there were fears about how the crowd would react to Joan Garcia.
The goalkeeper made his international debut at the stadium he left for arch rivals Barcelona in the summer and was targeted by some unsavoury chants.
Yet that was nothing compared to the abuse directed at the visitors.
Chants of ‘whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim’ could be heard, as were numerous songs against Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Speaking post-match, president of the Spanish Football Federation, Rafael Louzán, said: “I want to thank the Barcelona fans for almost filling the stadium.
“At the same time, I condemn these kinds of isolated incidents. Sport and football should be an example, not this.
“We have condemned these attitudes on the video screens and demanded that they not happen again.”
Giving his instant reaction, leading pundit Dani Garrido was furious about a country that is due to co-host the 2030 World Cup.
“The chant ‘whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim’ was heard twice,” he began.
“This country, Spain, is going to host a World Cup and has a serious problem in many areas, including racism.
“This match will go down in history because of these kinds of chants. The Royal Spanish Football Federation has to take action regarding what is happening today.
“It is deplorable, despicable, and an absolute disgrace.
“What is the RFEF going to do? We saw a conversation between the match delegate and the fourth official. The reality is that this country has a problem with racism.
“And this country, which is the least of it, wants to host a World Cup and have the final played here in Spain…”
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