Tuchel to Remind England of Anti-Racism Steps Before Spain Clash in Madrid

England's players will be reminded of UEFA's anti-racism rules before Sunday's Nations League game against Spain in Madrid, according to BBC Sport. Thomas Tuchel, England's head coach, will lead that reminder. The match takes place at Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano stadium.

It is England's first game in Madrid since 2004. That visit, at Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium, was overshadowed by racist chanting aimed at England's players. The memory is the reason the protocols are being discussed again.

UEFA, European football's governing body, has a three-step process for discriminatory behaviour in its stadiums. First, the referee can stop the match and make a public-address announcement. If the behaviour carries on, play is suspended for five to 10 minutes and players can be taken off the pitch. If it still continues, the referee can abandon the game.

Tuchel said England held the same discussion before their game in Belgrade, Serbia, in September 2025. The aim is simple. Players should know the steps before the whistle, not in the middle of a row.

Spain's federation has its own recent case to answer. It was fined and ordered to play its next friendly with part of its stadium closed after fans sang Islamophobic and xenophobic chants about Muslims during a game against Egypt. BBC Sport reported those sanctions alongside the England preparations.

On the pitch, the stakes are clear. Spain have not lost in 43 matches, and they beat England 3-2 at Wembley in September. The Nations League is a competition between European national teams, and a win in Madrid would see England finish top of their group. That would also earn them a more favourable quarter-final draw.

For England, the job is two-fold. They have to beat one of the strongest teams in the world on a famous stage, and they have to do it with the crowd's behaviour on the agenda before a ball is kicked. Sunday will show whether the preparation holds up on both fronts.