An incident that shakes Catalan football
The recent friendly match between Spain and Egypt, held at the RCDE Stadium in Cornellà, has unleashed a wave of outrage both in the Govern of the Generalitat and among sectors of the independence movement. During the match, a section of the crowd chanted what has been described as Islamophobic, prompting authorities to launch an investigation to identify the instigators.
Berni Álvarez, the Sports Councillor of the Catalan government, stated that this act was “orchestrated by the far-right,” demanding immediate measures to prevent its recurrence. The Mossos d’Esquadra have announced their intention to take the case to the Hate Crimes Prosecutor's Office, seeking to sanction those identified with bans from accessing sporting events.
Taking advantage of this incident, Catalan media and public figures have begun to advocate for the Spanish national team not to return to play in Catalonia. They argue that the atmosphere has become hostile towards Spanish fans, noting that many present in the stadium were Espanyol members and carried national flags. This fact has been interpreted as a provocation by some local sectors.
The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, led by Milagros Tolón, also spoke out, condemning the xenophobic chants and reaffirming its commitment to combating any form of violence in sports. In an official statement, it was highlighted that these behaviours do not represent the entirety of the Spanish fanbase.
In light of these events, concerns arise about whether Espanyol's stadium will be able to host matches during the 2030 World Cup, an event co-organised by Spain. The current situation raises questions about how the relationship between fans and national teams will be managed in such a polarised context.
It is not new that Catalonia has had a complicated relationship with the Spanish national team; however, this latest episode could mark a critical point. The national team returned to play in Catalonia just four years ago after more than two decades without doing so. The current climate could lead to a reconsideration of future call-ups.
Despite the tense atmosphere, organisations like Barcelona con la Selección, which emerged to unite fans around the national team, have reported being excluded from the organisational activities prior to the match. This situation further highlights the existing divisions within the Catalan sporting sphere.
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