Dein calls for sanctions against Spain

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein believes FIFA should force Spain to play their next international behind closed doors as punishment for the racist abuse by their fans towards England players on Wednesday.

Dein, who is an influential board member of the FA, also revealed that, following a visit of the Spanish FA’s head of public relations, their coach Luis Aragones ignored his advice to send a written apology to Thierry Henry for referring to the striker as a black s***.

The Aragones incident last month served as a pre-cursor to Wednesday night’s events in Madrid when Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole and Manchester City midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips were targeted by vehement abuse from thousands of Spanish fans.

FIFA have demanded an explanation from the Spanish football federation and Dein believes the game’s world governing body needs to make a strong statement of their intent to rid football of racism.

Dein told the Press Association: “I was visited by the Spanish FA’s head of public relations and I advised him that in my opinion it would be appropriate for Mr Aragones to send a hand-written letter of apology to Thierry and for him to volunteer to come over to shake his hand and say sorry in person.

“Unfortunately nothing happened and an opportunity to build bridges was not taken up.”

On FIFA, Dein added: “My view is that FIFA must take action, and the appropriate action in this case is for them to insist Spain must play their next competitive international behind closed doors.

“At the very least they should be given a suspended sentence so that they, and more importantly the section of the Spanish fans who caused the problem, are fully aware of the consequences should Wednesday night’s awful scenes be repeated.

“To merely fine an association does not hit the right target. There were several thousand spectators involved in the racist abuse.”

Dein was one of the inaugural members of the original campaign against racism in football, Kick It Out, and he was shocked by the events in Madrid.

He added: “We cannot blame the Spanish FA but they do have to take responsibility for the behaviour of their fans and to clean up their act.

“In Britain, a great job has been done to get rid of racism in football but it is still prevalent in many countries in Europe.

“Things cannot carry on like this in football and it is up to FIFA and UEFA to show leadership and strength.”