'No racism in Spain' – De la Fuente message for Tuchel

De la Fuente rejected Tuchel's racism protocol reminder ahead of Sunday's Nations League clash in Madrid, insisting there is no racism in Spain.

Former Spain manager Luis de la Fuente dismissed concerns over racism in Spanish football before the Uefa Nations League meeting with England in Madrid on Sunday, which will determine who finishes top of League A Group 3.

England boss Thomas Tuchel had confirmed he would remind his players of Uefa's anti-racism protocol before the fixture, citing the precedent of a 2004 encounter at the Bernabeu that was overshadowed by racist chanting. When asked if Tuchel's message showed work was still needed, De la Fuente responded firmly: "What I'd tell you, and you can tell Thomas, is that in Spain, there's no racism. Just like that, crystal clear."

Tuchel later clarified he never expects racism and was simply answering a hypothetical question about the protocol. "My trust is that we have a friendly atmosphere, that we have an atmosphere who is clearly in favour of the Spanish team," he said. Declan Rice acknowledged the issue remains a concern in football globally, noting: "The times we are in now, 2026, there should never be racism in football.

It's shocking we still have it in the game today." The Spanish Football Federation was fined last month after supporters directed Islamophobic chants during a match against Egypt, while Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr has been a vocal anti-racism campaigner after experiencing racist abuse.