Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister yesterday condemned the racist abuse of black players in England for thousands of Spanish fans of the shameful scene Wednesday night caused outrage in Britain and threatens to escalate into a diplomatic conflict.
Several black players in England were mocked with monkey cries and songs by a great part of the crowd at the Bernabeu during the 1-0 defeat of England.
The scale and vehemence of abuse was condemned by Richard Caborn, the Minister of Sports, but the Spanish authorities do not recognize the taunts until yesterday afternoon when the office of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has described the violence as intolerable .
"Racist and xenophobic comments of this group, which is not representative of the Spanish supporters, are intolerable," said a spokesman for Zapatero. "They are unreasonable, sport or any other circumstance."
Blair's office had described the British prime minister as "very disappointed" by the events in Madrid. "He believes that racism has no role to play in the sport - or anywhere else for that matter," said a spokesman.
Last night, the Spanish Football Federation and much of the local press did not recognize that the attacks occurred, fueling the belief that a previous failure to condemn racist incidents have contributed to the level and vehemently attacks on players in England .
England team arrived in Spain, determined to protest against racism, the Spanish coach Luis Aragones, he described the Arsenal striker Thierry Henry as "black shit".
Aragones, who has not apologized or has been condemned by the Spanish Federation for his outburst, said before the game that his "conscience was clear," and said that the British were racist. He refused to answer questions improperly after the game.
The abuse, the worst example of racism in the match England in the last decades, met with disgust and disbelief in the United Kingdom, which is recognized as the way of European football fight against racism.
Politicians and activists across the spectrum called for an apology from the Spanish authorities and demanded action from Europe and the governing bodies of world football. Fifa has confirmed that it would "seek an explanation" of Spanish, and has the power to force them to play games behind closed doors.
Mr Caborn, who wrote to his Spanish counterpart has apologized, said the lack of condemnation Aragones may have contributed to events.
"Combating racism requires a clear message to management, and needs them to speak to the top of the sport," said the minister. "It 'been a shame. What went on terraces 20 or 30 years ago here in England."
Mr Caborn suggested that in the coming match officials should consider leading the team on the field when the violence reached such a level.
Many supporters of England, some were victims of unprovoked attacks by the Spanish police before the match, said the players should have left the field in protest.
Piara Power, director of Kick Racism Out of Football campaign, called on Spain to be suspended from the European football and blamed the Spanish Federation of ignoring racism effectively. "We believe the clumsy handling of the Spanish FA Aragones has contributed comments to the event. Unless the will to drive change is indicated by the Spanish Football Association, to take unprecedented measures, including suspension of all activity Spanish in European football. "
England captain David Beckham, who plays his football at Real Madrid Bernabeu Stadium, said he was "disappointed" by the reaction that came after similar incidents Tuesday evening, when the England under-21 side have been victims of abuse.
Adrian Bevington, the FA's Director of Media Relations, confirmed that the FA will continue to exert pressure on the Spanish authorities. "Football is a whole stand up and express their disgust at what is left here. Frankly, it's a shame," he said.
The abuse was extremely embarrassing for the Madrid bid for 2012 Olympic Games, which was launched hours before kickoff and used the game to launch international marketing campaign.
Several black players in England were mocked with monkey cries and songs by a great part of the crowd at the Bernabeu during the 1-0 defeat of England.
The scale and vehemence of abuse was condemned by Richard Caborn, the Minister of Sports, but the Spanish authorities do not recognize the taunts until yesterday afternoon when the office of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has described the violence as intolerable .
"Racist and xenophobic comments of this group, which is not representative of the Spanish supporters, are intolerable," said a spokesman for Zapatero. "They are unreasonable, sport or any other circumstance."
Blair's office had described the British prime minister as "very disappointed" by the events in Madrid. "He believes that racism has no role to play in the sport - or anywhere else for that matter," said a spokesman.
Last night, the Spanish Football Federation and much of the local press did not recognize that the attacks occurred, fueling the belief that a previous failure to condemn racist incidents have contributed to the level and vehemently attacks on players in England .
England team arrived in Spain, determined to protest against racism, the Spanish coach Luis Aragones, he described the Arsenal striker Thierry Henry as "black shit".
Aragones, who has not apologized or has been condemned by the Spanish Federation for his outburst, said before the game that his "conscience was clear," and said that the British were racist. He refused to answer questions improperly after the game.
The abuse, the worst example of racism in the match England in the last decades, met with disgust and disbelief in the United Kingdom, which is recognized as the way of European football fight against racism.
Politicians and activists across the spectrum called for an apology from the Spanish authorities and demanded action from Europe and the governing bodies of world football. Fifa has confirmed that it would "seek an explanation" of Spanish, and has the power to force them to play games behind closed doors.
Mr Caborn, who wrote to his Spanish counterpart has apologized, said the lack of condemnation Aragones may have contributed to events.
"Combating racism requires a clear message to management, and needs them to speak to the top of the sport," said the minister. "It 'been a shame. What went on terraces 20 or 30 years ago here in England."
Mr Caborn suggested that in the coming match officials should consider leading the team on the field when the violence reached such a level.
Many supporters of England, some were victims of unprovoked attacks by the Spanish police before the match, said the players should have left the field in protest.
Piara Power, director of Kick Racism Out of Football campaign, called on Spain to be suspended from the European football and blamed the Spanish Federation of ignoring racism effectively. "We believe the clumsy handling of the Spanish FA Aragones has contributed comments to the event. Unless the will to drive change is indicated by the Spanish Football Association, to take unprecedented measures, including suspension of all activity Spanish in European football. "
England captain David Beckham, who plays his football at Real Madrid Bernabeu Stadium, said he was "disappointed" by the reaction that came after similar incidents Tuesday evening, when the England under-21 side have been victims of abuse.
Adrian Bevington, the FA's Director of Media Relations, confirmed that the FA will continue to exert pressure on the Spanish authorities. "Football is a whole stand up and express their disgust at what is left here. Frankly, it's a shame," he said.
The abuse was extremely embarrassing for the Madrid bid for 2012 Olympic Games, which was launched hours before kickoff and used the game to launch international marketing campaign.
