Lamine Yamal has condemned ‘intolerable’ chants by Spanish supporters during their friendly against Egypt in Barcelona on Tuesday evening, with police now launching an investigation into potential Islamophobia and xenophobia. Spain fans chanted, ‘Who doesn’t jump is a Muslim’ – despite one of their own, Yamal, being a Muslim himself.

The European champions were hosting Egypt, a majority-Muslim nation, in a match that had been anticipated to take place in Qatar before the region was affected by the war in Iran.

Egypt’s national anthem was met with jeers ahead of the 0-0 draw, and officials at the RCDE Stadium, home to La Liga side Espanyol, appealed to supporters on multiple occasions over the PA system to cease making offensive remarks. An anti-discrimination message was also displayed on screens inside the ground.

Yamal, 18, is widely considered Spain’s finest player with an enormous global standing, and he has spoken out to make abundantly clear that such chants have no place whatsoever in football. The Barcelona forward took to Instagram on Wednesday, writing: “I am a Muslim. Yesterday at the stadium the chant ‘the one who doesn’t jump is a Muslim’ was heard.

“I know I was playing for the rival team and it wasn’t something personal against me, but as a Muslim person it doesn’t stop being disrespectful and something intolerable.

“I understand not all fans are like this, but to those who sing these things, using a religion as a mockery on the field makes you ignorant and racist people. Football is to be enjoyed and encouraged, not to disrespect people for who they are or what they believe in. With that being said, thank you to the people who came to cheer us on, see you at the World Cup.”

Yamal’s club and international team-mate Pedri stepped forward to show his support, saying: “We, as players, have been shocked by the chants too. We don’t agree to any sort of racist chant. We did not expect it. We all have to work together to stop this from happening in stadiums.”

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente was equally dismayed by the scenes, declaring: “I feel total and absolute repulsion towards any xenophobic or racist attitudes. They are intolerable.”

As the fixture was played under FIFA jurisdiction, the governing body will review reports from officials present before determining whether to pursue further action. Egypt boss Hossam Hassan appeared far less troubled, suggesting he would not pass judgement on something he had not personally witnessed — instead choosing to praise the crowd.

“The fans were fantastic, there was an incredible atmosphere in the game,” he said. “Spain are a great team, as well as Egypt. In the end we are all human and there is a God in which we all believe. I won’t comment on something I have not heard.”