Lamine Yamal

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has defended Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal after the footballer displayed a Palestinian flag during the club’s La Liga title celebrations.

Sánchez addressed the issue while speaking to journalists at a press conference. He explained Spain’s official position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and pointed out that the country had already recognised Palestine as a state.

“Spain has recognised the state of Palestine,” Sánchez stated. “From the very beginning, Spain condemned the attacks by Hamas, and later condemned the war being waged by the Israeli authorities in the Gaza Strip.”

The Prime Minister made the remarks amid growing public debate surrounding athletes and celebrities who openly express political opinions about the conflict in Gaza.

Sánchez maintained that Spain’s position remains focused on peace and diplomacy. He said the country continues to oppose violence from all sides while supporting efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful solution.

The comments followed criticism from some Israeli media outlets after Yamal waved the Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s celebrations for winning the Spanish league title.

Sánchez spoke during a joint appearance in Madrid alongside World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, where they also discussed the hantavirus situation in Spain.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Lamine Yamal has condemned what he described as a “racist” and “intolerable” chant heard during a 0–0 draw between Spain and Egypt, warning that discrimination remains entrenched in football culture.

The teenager took to social media shortly after the match, identifying himself as a Muslim and criticising supporters who chanted “the one who doesn’t boo is Muslim” inside the stadium. While noting the chant may have been aimed at opposing fans, Yamal said intent did not lessen its impact.

“As a Muslim, it doesn’t stop being a lack of respect and something intolerable,” he wrote, adding that using religion as a joke “makes you look ignorant and racist.”

The remarks quickly drew attention across the football world, with anti-discrimination advocates pointing to the incident as further evidence of the persistence of abuse in the game. Despite repeated campaigns led by FIFA and UEFA, discriminatory chanting—whether based on race, religion, or nationality—continues to surface in stadiums.

Analysts say religion-based taunts are often trivialised as fan rivalry but can reinforce exclusion and hostility, particularly toward minority players. Yamal’s intervention reflects a growing willingness among high-profile footballers to publicly challenge such behaviour.

He ended his message by thanking fans who supported the team and looking ahead to future competitions, including the FIFA World Cup.

The incident adds to mounting pressure on football authorities to strengthen enforcement measures and ensure stadiums are safe and respectful spaces for all players and supporters.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Spanish football prodigy Lamine Yamal is set to make history as the first player in the Spain national team to observe fasting during Ramadan while on international duty.

According to reports, the 16-year-old winger has chosen to fast as a mark of respect for his family’s Muslim traditions.

Despite his young age, Yamal has already made headlines as one of the most promising talents in European football, and his commitment to both his faith and his career has drawn admiration from fans.

The Barcelona star’s decision highlights the growing diversity within Spanish football, as well as the increasing visibility of Muslim athletes who balance professional sports with religious observances.

Spain’s coaching staff is expected to accommodate Yamal’s needs during the fasting period, as has been the case with Muslim players in other top European teams.

Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam, involves fasting from dawn to sunset, posing a unique challenge for athletes. However, many Muslim footballers have successfully managed their performance during the holy month.

Yamal’s choice to fast reflects not only his personal devotion but also the broader cultural representation within Spain’s national squad.