England to remind players of anti-racism protocol before Spain game

Summarised from 5 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 15 Nov, 03:25 · Archive

England manager Thomas Tuchel will remind his players of UEFA's anti-racism protocols before Sunday's Nations League match in Madrid, the first time England have played in the Spanish capital since racist abuse in 2004.

England manager Thomas Tuchel will remind his squad of UEFA's anti-racism protocols before Sunday's Nations League fixture against Spain in Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium. This will be England's first match in Madrid since 2004, when black players including Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips were subjected to racist chanting at Real Madrid's Bernabéu. England have since played three times in Spain without incident, in Seville (2009 and 2018) and Alicante (2015), having refused to return to Madrid for the 2009 fixture.

UEFA operates a three-step protocol to handle discrimination. First, the referee pauses the match and orders a public address announcement to stop the behaviour. If it continues, officials can suspend the game for five to ten minutes and take players from the pitch. If the abuse persists, the match can be abandoned.

Tuchel said he would spend five minutes informing players of the protocol given the precedent in Madrid. "It's important that the players know about the protocol," he said. "And then, yeah, we will give our answers if stuff like this happens. Best answers are on the pitch." He stressed he did not expect any problems and that the dressing room was "the most anti-racist place in the world."

Spain were fined £15,000 last month and ordered to play their next friendly with a partial stadium closure after supporters sang discriminatory chants about Muslims during a match against Egypt in Barcelona in March. The Spanish Football Federation was fined £44,750 in 2004 for the racist abuse at the Bernabéu.

When asked whether Spain still had work to do on racism, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente responded: "Tell Thomas there is no racism. As clear as that. Exactly the same as in England. We're not racists, none of us." He also described Sunday's match as potentially "the best game you can see anywhere in the world right now."

Tuchel then objected to Spanish journalists for relaying his comments to De la Fuente, saying his remarks had been "twisted." He said: "I was polite enough to answer a question from your colleagues, and you run and ask Spain's coach and tell them that I talked about racism in Spain. I never talked about racism in Spain. I answered a question politely. I never expect racism." The dispute overshadowed the build-up to a match that will determine who finishes top of League A Group 3, with England three points behind Spain.

How it is being reported

• England boss Thomas Tuchel angry at being dragged into race row after being told by Luis de la Fuente: 'There is no racism in Spain!', on eve of Nations League showdownThomas Tuchel was dragged into a bitter race row on the eve of England's Nations League showdown with Spain.Daily Mail Sport · 14 Nov, 21:09
• Thomas Tuchel responds after Spain boss hits back over racism message to England starsLuis de la Fuente sent a message directly to Thomas Tuchel after the England manager said he would remind his team of protocols ahead of a first game in Madrid since players were subjected to abuse in 2004Mirror Sport · 14 Nov, 21:05
• Tuchel unhappy as anti-racism protocol questions overshadow Spain clashThomas Tuchel insisted his words had been "twisted" as questions over anti-racism protocols overshadowed the build-up to England's Nations League showdown in Madrid.Sky Sports · 14 Nov, 21:00
• 'Tell Thomas there's no racism in Spain' - De la Fuente on Tuchel remarksSpain manager Luis de la Fuente says "there is no racism in Spain" after Thomas Tuchel issued a warning to his England players before Sunday's Nations League meeting in Madrid.BBC Sport · 14 Nov, 20:43
• De la Fuente adamant there is no racism in Spain despite England reminder to playersEngland’s first game in Madrid since racist abuse in 2004 De la Fuente tells Tuchel ‘we’re not racists, none of us’ Luis de la Fuente has told Thomas Tuchel there is no racism in Spain after the England coach’s admission that he would remind his players of the anti-racism protocol prior to their meeting at the Metropolitano on Sunday night. This will be the first time the countries play each other in Madrid since some of England’s black players were subjected to racist abuse in a match at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2004 . And although England have returned to Spain three times without incident…The Guardian · 14 Nov, 18:59
• Tuchel to remind England of anti-racism protocols before Spain gameManager Thomas Tuchel will remind England's players of Uefa's anti-racism protocols before Sunday's Nations League fixture against Spain in Madrid.BBC News · 14 Nov, 09:13
• Tuchel to remind England players of anti-racism protocols before game in SpainEngland visit Madrid for first time since fan abuse in 2004 ‘We had the same discussion before the Serbia game’ Thomas Tuchel will remind his England players of the anti-racism protocols as they prepare to play Spain in Madrid for the first time since the notorious meeting between the countries in 2004. Spain won 1-0 at the Bernabéu but the occasion was ruined by racist abuse directed at England’s black players from the stands. England have since played three games in Spain, although they refused to return to Madrid for the first of them in 2009. The match was moved to Seville. There were no…The Guardian · 13 Nov, 19:00
• England hold talks about leaving the pitch vs Spain if they suffer racist abuseEngland are playing Spain in Madrid for the first time in 12 years following a shameful night in 2004 where black players were subjected to sickening racist abuseMirror Sport · 13 Nov, 19:00

In this story: Thomas Tuchel · Luis de la Fuente · England · Spain · Ashley Cole · Shaun Wright-Phillips · Madrid · UEFA

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