‘No racism in Spain’ – De la Fuente message for Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel clarified that he had not raised concerns about racism in Spain, saying he had simply explained what England would do if abuse occurred. His comments followed Spain manager Luis de la Fuente’s categorical claim that “there’s no racism in Spain” before Sunday’s Nations League match in Madrid, which will decide who tops League A Group 3.

Tuchel said he expects a friendly atmosphere and hopes football will bring people together; England midfielder Declan Rice said the squad knows the anti-racism protocol, which lets referees pause or abandon a match if discriminatory behaviour continues. The issue has drawn attention because England’s last visit to Madrid was overshadowed by racist chanting in 2004, while Spain’s football federation was fined last month over Islamophobic and xenophobic chants at a match against Egypt. Three Valencia fans were jailed for eight months in 2024 for racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr.