FABREGAS: SPAIN ARE NOT RACISTS
Cesc Fabregas has hit back at the Football Association for asking to move England's friendly against Spain on the grounds of racism.
The game was scheduled to be played on February 11 next year at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu, but the FA cited problems four years ago at the same stadium as grounds enough to move the match to a different venue.
FIFA fined the Spanish federation 100,000 Swiss francs (£45,000) after England's Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas were racially abused on England's last visit there in 2004.
But the 21-year-old Arsenal midfielder does not think England as a whole sees the Spanish as racists.
"I don't know if racism is the word," said Fabregas, who has won 35 caps for Spain. "I had not yet broken into the Spanish team for that game four years ago, but a good friend and team-mate of mine, Cole, played with England and he felt hurt.
"The players may have returned to England annoyed, but I do not think we have got to the point where Spaniards are viewed as racists. I don't think we are - it is a bit extreme.
"It is necessary to reduce the importance of this charge because in football the fans are always going to support the team and be behind us."
Cesc Fabregas has hit back at the Football Association for asking to move England's friendly against Spain on the grounds of racism.
The game was scheduled to be played on February 11 next year at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu, but the FA cited problems four years ago at the same stadium as grounds enough to move the match to a different venue.
FIFA fined the Spanish federation 100,000 Swiss francs (£45,000) after England's Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas were racially abused on England's last visit there in 2004.
But the 21-year-old Arsenal midfielder does not think England as a whole sees the Spanish as racists.
"I don't know if racism is the word," said Fabregas, who has won 35 caps for Spain. "I had not yet broken into the Spanish team for that game four years ago, but a good friend and team-mate of mine, Cole, played with England and he felt hurt.
"The players may have returned to England annoyed, but I do not think we have got to the point where Spaniards are viewed as racists. I don't think we are - it is a bit extreme.
"It is necessary to reduce the importance of this charge because in football the fans are always going to support the team and be behind us."
