FIFA demand explanation to Spanish abuse

FIFA today demanded an explanation from the Spanish football federation for the racist abuse aimed at England players.

Sepp Blatter, president of the game’s world governing body, also declared that football must “eradicate this scourge” of racism.

A FIFA statement said: “FIFA are concerned about the latest surge of racism in football and harshly condemns these incidents.

“Coloured English players were the target for racial abuse from spectators during the Under-21 friendly match between Spain and England on November 16 and again when the nations’ senior sides met on November 17.

“Last Saturday, after at a match between Bastia and St Etienne, so-called fans attacked Bastia’s coloured players.

“Last month, some of Arsenal’s players were the object of racist abuse during a Champions League match between Panathinaikos and the English club.

“FIFA will be investigating the circumstances of the two friendly matches between Spain and England as they come under FIFA’s ambit.

“We will demand explanations from the Spanish football association so we can examine the incidents and clarify whether the statutes, regulations and code of ethics of FIFA have been violated.”