The controversy in Spain-England breaks: “We’re not racist”

O Riyadh Air Metropolitan will be staged, starting at 7:45 p.m. (Hour of Continental Portugal) this Sunday, which is the most anticipated meeting of the sixth and final round of the League of Nations group phase, which will place, face to face, Spain and England. This meeting began to ‘heat’ even before the final whistle.

It all started last Thursday at the press conference that followed the final whistle for the victory of the British team over Croatia, at Wembley Stadium, by 2-1. Thomas Tuchel was asked about any episodes of racism that might occur in Madrid and replied that he would spend only “five minutes” to remind players of the protocols predicted by UEFA.

Words that did not go well with Luis de la Fuente, who, confronted already this Saturday, with the position taken by the German, shot: “Tell Tuchel that in Spain there is no racism. Just like that. It's exactly like what's going on in England. We are not racist.”.

Now, hours later, the England picker had the opportunity to put everything in ‘clean dishes’ before journalists: “I was polite enough to answer a question from your colleagues, and you will run to the other coach and tell him that I spoke about racism in Spain. It is a perfect example of how things work.”.

“ I never talked about racism in Spain. I politely answered a question about what happens. I never expect racism, and the locker room is the most anti-racist place on the planet”, he said, in statements reproduced by the British television station Sky Sports.

“ You create a lot of confusion for absolutely nothing. It is a perfect example of how things should not work,” he added, without hiding that he was “a little bothered” with this controversy, even claiming that he was deceived as part of a plan that aimed to “create a lot of confusion for no reason.”.

“ I sent a message, but it was twisted. I said I always expect a friendly atmosphere. I don't expect racism anywhere. I'm shocked if that happened. It was never supposed to happen. I'm the first person to defend those values. I was asked what would happen, and I said there are protocols. What football does best is to bring people together, and not divide them”, he said.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if Tuchel talked about anti-racism protocols”

Declan Rice sat next to Thomas Tuchel at this press conference and also lamented the controversy caused by this exchange of words: “In the past, we have been there in Montenegro, Bulgaria... And there was a protocol in place, in respect. We're out of the field. We know exactly where we are, as a group, about this.”.

“Coach hasn’t mentioned it yet. I wouldn't be surprised if you talked about it tomorrow, but we know where we are. I'm not expecting any of that tomorrow. This is a beautiful city with a great stadium. We have a lot of respect for the players we're playing against. Everything is set up to be a very good night, and I hope not a negative ", concluded.