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Archive photo · 23 June 2026Thomas Tuchel Says He Will Remind England Players of UEFA Anti-Racism Protocols vs Spain
“Maybe we take our five minutes to inform the players about the protocol”
“Tuchel wants to keep him close.”
Photo: Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped for layout
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Tuchel will remind England players of UEFA anti-racism protocols before Spain match in Madrid. England’s Madrid game is their first there since the 2004 Bernabéu racist incident.
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Tuchel readies England
England manager Thomas Tuchel said he would remind England's players of Uefa's anti-racism protocols before Sunday's Nations League fixture against Spain in Madrid. Tuchel pointed to a prior discussion before the Serbia game in Belgrade in September 2025, and he said, "There is a protocol in place."
Uefa’s three-step procedure gives referees power to halt matches, suspend them for five to 10 minutes, and abandon games if discrimination continues. Tuchel said, "It's important that the players know about the protocol," and he added that England would give their answers "on the pitch."
Madrid history and Madrid
The Nations League match in Madrid will be England's first in the Spanish capital since a 2004 fixture at Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium that was overshadowed by racist chanting aimed at England players. The match takes place at Atletico Madrid's home, the Metropolitano, and it is a chance for England to win their Nations League group and earn a more favourable quarter-final draw.
Tuchel’s approach is a test of his methods as England prepare for Spain at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday night, and Tuchel said, "Yeah, push our limits, see where we are." Spain are unbeaten in 43 matches and England’s win over Croatia 2-1 at Wembley on Thursday left them with a puncher’s chance of top spot.
Protocol, points, and pressure
The Spanish federation was fined last month and ordered to play their next friendly match with a partial stadium closure after fans sang "Islamophobic and xenophobic" chants about Muslims during a game against Egypt. Victory would ensure England win their Nations League group and earn a more favourable quarter-final draw, while world champions Spain are unbeaten in 43 matches.
Tuchel told reporters, "It [Spain] is a team that has forgotten how to lose," and he said England must "impose our strength" in a physical contest. England hold talks about leaving the pitch vs Spain if they suffer racist abuse, and Tuchel said, "I still think the protocol is in place" before the fixture.
