Morocco flags racism incidents in Spain ahead of 2030 World Cup
Spain forward Lamine Yamal, of Moroccan origin, during a match amid rising scrutiny over racism.
Racist abuse targeting Moroccan football players in Spain has come back into focus following a series of recent incidents, raising renewed concerns over discrimination in the game, Moroccan government-friendly Yabiladi reported on 16 April.
The incidents come as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, where issues of racism in the sport have drawn increasing attention.
The latest case followed a Spain–Egypt friendly ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where racist and Islamophobic chants from sections of the crowd prompted condemnation from the Royal Spanish Football Federation. FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings.
Further incidents have also been recorded in Spain in recent seasons. In a March 2026 La Liga match, Omar El Hilali reported a racist remark from an opposing player, prompting the referee to halt play under anti-racism protocol. He was again targeted weeks later during a derby by chants from sections of the crowd.
Youssef En-Nesyri and Maroan Sannadi were also subjected to racist chants in 2024, with one match temporarily suspended, while Omar Sadik was insulted during a lower-division game in 2025, triggering anti-racism procedures.
Harassment has also extended to online spaces linked to Spanish clubs. During the 2024–2025 season, Spain forward Lamine Yamal was the most targeted player on social media for racist abuse. The player, who is of Moroccan origin, had more than 20,000 racially charged insults directed at him, according to the Spanish Observatory of Racism and Xenophobia.
Ilias Akhomach, who plays for Villarreal, similarly received hundreds of racist messages after a match in 2024, following a challenge on Yamal.
The incidents have drawn reactions in Morocco, which is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. Local media have pointed to repeated cases of racism in Spanish stadiums in discussions over hosting arrangements, including calls for the final to be held in Morocco.
Maghrebi reached out to Movimiento contra la Intolerancia, a Spanish anti-racism organisation, for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Yabiladi, Cadena SER, Maghrebi.org
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