Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has rejected concerns about racism in Spanish football ahead of Sunday’s Uefa Nations League showdown with England in Madrid.
The match will decide which nation finishes top of League A Group 3, but preparations have also brought questions about potential discriminatory behaviour from supporters.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said he would consider reminding his squad of Uefa’s anti-racism procedures.
However, he emphasised that he expected a welcoming atmosphere.
It will be England’s first appearance in the Spanish capital since their 2004 visit to the Bernabeu, when racist chanting aimed at visiting players overshadowed the match.
Asked whether Tuchel’s comments highlighted the need for further action against racism in Spain, De la Fuente dismissed the suggestion.
“What I'd tell you, and you can tell Thomas, is that in Spain, there's no racism,” he said.
“Just like that, crystal clear. Just like in England, there's no racism in Spain. We aren't racist, any of us.”
His remarks come after the Spanish Football Federation received a fine and a partial stadium closure last month following Islamophobic and xenophobic chanting during a match against Egypt in Barcelona.
Racism has also remained a prominent issue in Spanish club football.
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr has repeatedly faced racist abuse and become a leading voice in efforts to combat discrimination.
Three Valencia supporters were sentenced to eight months in prison in 2024 for abusing the Brazilian during a match.
Uefa’s three-stage procedure allows referees to pause a game, temporarily take players off the field and ultimately abandon the fixture if discriminatory behaviour persists.
Tuchel said on Friday that England could spend a few minutes reviewing those measures before the match, adding that his players would seek to deliver their strongest response through their football.
Speaking again on Saturday, the England boss stressed that his earlier remarks had been answers to hypothetical questions.
“I never talk about racism in Spain,” he said.
“I answered politely a question about what happens, I never expect racism.”
Tuchel said he trusted that the occasion would feature a friendly atmosphere, with passionate backing for Spain, and expressed his hope that football would bring people together.
England midfielder Declan Rice also addressed the issue, recalling his experiences of racist abuse during internationals in Montenegro and Bulgaria.
Rice said the squad understood the procedures and shared a clear position on how to respond.
“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,” he said.
He added that abuse directed at a player from either team would leave a damaging stain on the occasion.
Turning to the contest, De la Fuente described Spain and England as two teams operating at the highest level, while insisting their different strengths required distinct approaches.
Spain enter the fixture as world champions following their triumph in the summer.
England finished third after being beaten by Argentina in the semi-finals.
“I prefer the Spanish model. It's very recognisable, the players are perfectly adapted,” De la Fuente said.
“The English model is very good, but you have to have that type of player. Neither England can play like Spain, nor Spain like England.”
De la Fuente, who also guided Spain to victory over England in the Euro 2024 final, believes his team’s achievements have made opponents increasingly determined to beat them.
He described the current period as Spain’s strongest in many years and said rival sides were approaching matches against them with greater aggression.
The Spain coach also argued that Spanish players offered exceptional value compared with the fees paid in English football.
“Spanish footballers surprise me that, compared to what is paid in England, they are very cheap,” he said.
“I see them as better, in my opinion. Everyone in their market can set the prices.”
Meanwhile, De la Fuente stopped short of confirming whether Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal would start against England or how many minutes he might play.
“We will see if he is a starter, but if he comes out, it's because he's fit to play,” he said.
