Racism 'does not exist' in Spain says football chief

(GETTY IMAGES)

Spain's football chief has claimed racism “does not exist” in the Spanish game despite numerous recent incidents.

UEFA fined the Spanish FA after Spain fans racially abused Mario Balotelli during Euro 2012, while last year Barcelona's Dani Alves said racism in the Spanish game is "uncontrollable".

Samuel Eto'o also highlighted racist abuse during his time with Barcelona.

But Angel Villa Llona, president of the Spanish FA and a member of both FIFA and UEFA's executive committee insisted racism was not a problem.

Asked how racism in Spanish football compared to the game in England, which has had two high-profile abuses cases in the last year, Villa Llona said: "There is no racism in Spanish football."

Asked about the incident when Thierry Henry was the subject of racist language from former Spain coach Luis Aragones, Villa Llona repeated his insistence it was not an issue in Spanish football.

In June, UEFA fined the Spanish FA 20,000 euros for racist abuse by their fans during Euro 2012.

UEFA's disciplinary panel found Spain guilty of "improper conduct of its fans [racist behaviour, racist chanting]" after Spain fans targeted abuse at the Italy forward Balotelli.

Last year, Alves said he had learned to live with racism in Spain.

The Brazilian said: "The clubs and the league try to do some things to stop it. They try to punish the clubs, but it is uncontrollable. It will not go away."

PA