Fans' Racist Taunts Lead to Fine of Spanish Soccer

Racism worldwide, how nice eh?

washingtonpost.com
Fans' Racist Taunts Lead to Fine of Spanish Soccer

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17785-2004Dec21.html

Wednesday, December 22, 2004; Page D02


World soccer's governing body yesterday fined Spain's national federation $87,000 for racist taunting by its fans during matches against England.

FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said the Spanish federation also was warned against a repeat of such fan behavior at future games. According to Spain's Efe news agency, a Spanish soccer official said the federation would honor the fine and had no plans to appeal the sanction.

Taunts aimed at the black players on England's soccer team marred Spain's impressive 1-0 victory in the Nov. 17 match. While the Spaniards outplayed England at Santiago Bernabeu stadium, their fans taunted Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole whenever they had the ball.

England also protested Spanish fans' racist chanting during a meeting of the two nations in an under-21 match the day before. FIFA chief Sepp Blatter said: "Racism again is rearing its ugly head in society and in football. FIFA is determined to stamp out racism."

Spanish soccer has been hit by a string of racist incidents. Earlier this month, European governing body UEFA fined Real Madrid $13,023 for racist behavior by its supporters at the Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen on Nov. 23. Members of the crowd made Nazi salutes and taunted Leverkusen's black players