De la Fuente denies racism in Spain despite Yamal, Vinicius avowals | Football
FIFA Punishes Spain Amid Ongoing Racism Issues in Football
MADRID — In the wake of FIFA’s recent sanctioning of Spain for Islamophobic chants by supporters, the national team’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, stated that he does not believe the country has a racism problem. This remark follows comments from young star Lamine Yamal, who recently admitted that he has faced racism numerous times during his career.
De la Fuente addressed reporters Saturday ahead of Spain’s UEFA Nations League match against England, dismissing concerns about racism in Spain. “In Spain, there is no racism,” the 65-year-old coach said, responding to inquiries regarding England’s Thomas Tuchel, who indicated he would discuss anti-racism protocols with his players before the match.
“You can tell this to Thomas. As clear as that. There is no racism. Exactly the same as in England; in Spain, there is no racism. We’re not racists, none of us,” he added.
Despite De la Fuente’s claims, Spain will play its next home friendly match with a reduced stadium capacity as a consequence of supporters chanting anti-Muslim remarks during a friendly against Egypt in March. The match drew widespread criticism, particularly following reports of fans singing, “Whoever doesn’t jump is Muslim,” during Egypt’s national anthem.
This incident is part of a more extensive issue of racism in Spanish football. Star players, including Yamal and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., have been targets of racial abuse in recent years. Vinicius has openly condemned the situations he has faced and expressed his distress in numerous interviews, calling for greater accountability within the sport.
During his comments on the upcoming match, Tuchel expressed optimism that racist incidents would not occur but confirmed that his players would remain vigilant and reminded of anti-racism protocols. “I think the referee and the officials know about that [racist chanting],” he said, later clarifying that his remarks were not aimed specifically at Spain but rather in response to a broader question about racism in football.
England midfielder Declan Rice stated that the squad has protocols in place to respond to incidents of racism during matches, referencing experiences from previous games against Montenegro and Bulgaria. Rice expressed confidence in the match atmosphere, noting that Spain is a beautiful city and the players are respectful of their opponents.
Yamal, who has spoken candidly about his experiences with racism, stated in September that he has faced such abuse “a thousand times.” He emphasized that many individuals may not realize their comments are racist, reflecting on the subtlety of discriminatory behavior. Yamal has also been vocal against the Islamophobic chants, denouncing the actions of certain fans as disrespectful.
Similarly, Vinicius Jr. has been a prominent victim of racial abuse, describing Spanish football as a domain where racists thrive. His experiences have spotlighted the ongoing issue of racism within the sport, igniting calls for change from players and fans alike.
As the fight against discrimination in football continues, both Yamal and Vinicius have highlighted the importance of speaking out against such behavior, hoping to inspire future generations to address and combat racism within the sport.
