Forum condemns "hatred in stadiums"

The Arab-European Forum to Combat Hate condemned verbal violence and hate speech against religious minorities and foreigners in sports stadiums, following fans chanting slogans hostile to Islam, Muslims and foreigners in general, yesterday evening, Tuesday, during the friendly football match between the Spanish national team and its Egyptian counterpart in one of the stadiums in the Spanish city of Barcelona.

The Forum stressed that these behaviors constitute a clear violation of international laws, conventions and declarations that prohibit incitement to national, racial and religious hatred, especially since the international community celebrated last March 15 the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

The Forum explained that what was said by some fans in the aforementioned match contradicts the efforts of the United Nations, governmental and non-governmental institutions, human rights organizations, and civil society bodies.

The Forum called on the competent authorities in Spain and other countries to take measures to reduce this shameful phenomenon, and to educate the public about the role of sport in consolidating the values ​​of tolerance and understanding and promoting coexistence between peoples and nations.

The same source noted the decision of the Catalan police to initiate an investigation into the matter. He also praised the condemnation published by the Spanish Minister of Justice on the “X” platform, and the position of the President of the Spanish Football Federation, who in turn expressed his rejection of racism and hate speech in sports stadiums.

It is noteworthy that the Arab-European Forum to Combat Hate was established on May 10, 2024 in the city of Casablanca, at the initiative of an elite group of experts and professors specialized in international law, human rights, and media, from Moroccan universities and research and study centers. The forum aims to spread awareness of the danger of hate speech through monitoring, research, diagnosis, training, and rehabilitation.