England refuse to play Spain after racist chants

(GETTY IMAGES)

England have refused to play a proposed friendly against European champions Spain in Madrid next February after racist chants at the Bernabeu stadium on their last visit four years ago.

The Spanish federation were fined £51,000 after Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas were racially abused in the Real Madrid stadium.

Football Association (FA) director of communications Adrian Bevington told talkSPORT radio today that the fixture had been requested by head coach Fabio Capello.

"But as yet, a venue is still to be confirmed and the contract still to be signed," he said.

"However, from the outset, the FA, with Fabio, were clear we would not play the fixture in Madrid due to the incidents of racial abuse we faced last time."

Last month, world governing body Fifa fined the Croatia Football Federation £15,000 after supporters taunted England striker Emile Heskey with racial slurs during a World Cup qualifier.