By Spain’s Rising Star Lamine Yamal Targeted by Racist Chants Following Euro Triumph
Fresh off his European Championship victory with the Spanish national team, young sensation Lamine Yamal found himself at the center of a controversial episode involving some of his own supporters.
Lamine Yamal, who distinguished himself as the top assist provider of Euro 2024 with four assists and was named the tournament’s best young player at only 17 years and 1 day old, played a crucial role in Spain’s impressive performance. However, his on-field brilliance did not shield him from facing racist chants during the nocturnal title celebrations at Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid.
“Lamine Yamal Eats Ham”
Reportedly, a handful of supporters draped in the Spanish flag were captured on video chanting “Lamine Yamal eats ham,” a clip that swiftly went viral. This derogatory chant targets the Muslim heritage of Yamal’s paternal family, where consuming ham, a staple in Spanish cuisine, is forbidden by Islamic dietary laws. Notably, this seems to be a thinly veiled jab at Morocco, as the Spanish-born winger was persuaded to represent La Roja over the Moroccan national team last September.
Online Outrage and Backlash
The chants quickly ignited a wave of indignation across social media platforms, with countless netizens condemning what they saw as an act of nationalism and Islamophobia. This incident marks yet another controversy, following the uproar caused by player Alvaro Morata’s comments during the celebrations of Spain’s fourth European title. Morata reportedly remarked, “Morocco too,” amidst teammates mocking England, their final adversary, over the historic dispute of Gibraltar. This slip caused a social media clash between Spanish and Moroccan fans.
The episode reflects the challenges and prejudices that still persist in sports, even as it brings people from diverse backgrounds together in celebration.
