Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has rejected concerns regarding racism in Spanish football ahead of the national team’s upcoming Uefa Nations League match against England in Madrid.
De la Fuente responded to questions about the issue by stating, “in Spain, there’s no racism.”
The coach further emphasized his stance by adding, “We aren’t racist, any of us.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel had previously mentioned he would inform his players about Uefa’s anti-racism protocols before the fixture.
Tuchel clarified his position during a pre-match news conference, stating, “I never talk about racism in Spain.”
He noted that he only discussed the protocol as a procedural contingency, according to the outlets reported.
England midfielder Declan Rice expressed his belief that racism has no place in the sport, noting that players are aware of the protocol, as reported by the provided text.
The context of the discussion includes past incidents in Spain, such as the Spanish Football Federation being fined last month after supporters directed discriminatory chants toward players during a match in Barcelona.
Additionally, Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr has frequently faced racist abuse, which led to three Valencia fans receiving prison sentences in 2024, per the source material.
Regarding the match itself, De la Fuente stated that both teams are at the pinnacle of world football, though he argued that their respective playing styles cannot be replicated.
He noted that Spain’s success has led to increased expectations and more aggressive opposition, according to the BBC.
The match will determine which team finishes at the top of League A Group 3, as noted by the report.