Tuchel accuses Spanish media of 'creating confusion' after De la Fuente racism row escalates

Thomas Tuchel accused Spanish journalists of manufacturing a controversy after his routine remarks about anti-racism protocols sparked a public rebuke from Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente ahead of the two nations’ UEFA Nations League clash in Madrid.

England have not played in the Spanish capital since 2004 — they declined to return in 2009, with that fixture relocated to Seville — following the racial abuse directed at Black England players during that game 22 years ago. When Tuchel was asked at his press conference whether he would remind his squad of UEFA’s anti-racism procedures ahead of the match, he confirmed he would, while stressing that England “do not expect anything”.

Those comments were relayed to De la Fuente at his own media briefing, prompting a sharp response from the Spain manager. “Tell Tuchel there is no racism in Spain,” De la Fuente said. “It’s that blunt. Exactly the same as in England. We are not racist.”

Tuchel, however, was equally direct in pushing back — not at De la Fuente, but at the journalists he felt had misrepresented his words. “I was polite enough to answer a question from your colleagues, and you run and ask Spain’s coach and tell them that I talked about racism in Spain,” he said. “I never talked about racism in Spain. I answered politely a question. I never expect racism. The dressing room is the most anti-racism place in the world. This is a perfect example of how you create confusion out of nothing.”

The England manager had been careful in his original remarks to frame the conversation around protocol rather than expectation. “I still think the protocol is in place and it’s important that the players know about the protocol,” Tuchel said. “And then yes, we will give our answers if stuff like this happens. The best answers are on the pitch. I think we had the same discussion before the Serbia game.”

The episode has nonetheless cast a shadow over the build-up to a fixture already carrying historical weight, with the 2004 incident — in which Spain supporters directed monkey chants at Ashley Cole, Shaun Wright-Phillips, and others — remaining a painful reference point in the relationship between the two football associations.