SENIOR Football Association figures were said to be "stunned" at FIFA's decision to let the Spanish authorities escape with a fine and a final warning for the racist abuse of England players in Madrid.
The Spanish Football Federation have been fined 100,000 Swiss Francs ('44,750) for the misconduct of thousands of their fans at last month's international friendly.
But leading officials privately saw the decision as too lenient.
Along with the fine, FIFA only issued a warning that any repetition may lead to matches being played behind closed doors or expulsion from the World Cup.
The anti-racism campaign group Kick It Out described the punishment as "simply not good enough". claiming it proved FIFA were not taking the issue seriously enough.
FIFA started a month-long investigation into the racist abuse hurled at several England players, most notably City star Shaun Wright-Phillips and Arsenal's Ashley Cole, during the game in Madrid on November 17.
This followed similar taunts aimed at England Under-21 players the previous evening.
Piara Powar, director and spokesman for Kick It Out, said: "Our immediate reaction is this judgment doesn't go far enough."
"This is no worse than a slap on the wrist.
"We are talking about one of the major European football nations here."
Should the Spanish have been punished further? Have your say.
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You get what you vote for !!! why do you think Sepp Blatther has his job ??? could it be that part of the reason was the spanish vote ???? the man does not deserve to be with FIFA. what was his reaction when racism reared its head in england ??? its like the kettle calling the pot black !!! blatther should be ashamed of himself. no-wonder I have no respect for FIFA.
What did we expect, Fifa and Uefa play lip service to racism in sport. The fine that madrid got was less than the fines for the racists at Blackburn. Many Top european teams have a very vocal and visual racist following which the teams allow to go on and now this is supported by the authorities. What will happen when the racists start their chants again, another deaf ear will be turned. Just waiting for Gary Neville to be dragged up before the authorities for predicting what would happen the day after the match, he was 100% right.
As the title suggestes I am stunned aswell, I think Shaun Wright Phillips and Ashely Cole should pay for there part in the incident. I thought they incensed the crowd with their antics towards the spanish supporters were very unproffesional. Again another incident of the Black man with a chip on his shoulder
I cant believe were STILL TALKING ABOUT IT !! this is so over the top, all it was is name calling, no one pulled out an AK-47 & shot someone !! anyway, waht about the abuse a certain mr Beckham had to endure, about his wife & child ??hardly anything was said about that! ..
if this was the English fans abusing foreign footbalers the ban would of been more severe