FIFA act on race hate row

"Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips were very disappointed about what happened-Ashley is very upset. I hope UEFA do not let it slide by because it is not something that should be taken lightly.

"I hope it doesn't get brushed under the carpet. The only thing you can see happening is to ban people from games or don't let them in the stadium."

Jenas added that comments by Spanish national manager Luis Aragones about Arsenal's Thierry Henry last month inflamed the situation.

"That doesn't help. It is pretty disgraceful that people can get away with such things," said Jenas. "I am not sure if there was an apology over what he said about Thierry Henry - if not, then it is disgraceful that someone at such a high level can make such comments without any backlash."

The build-up to the game was overshadowed by the racial chanting at the Under-21 team on Tuesday and Spain coach Luis Aragones's failure to fully apologise for calling Arsenal's Thierry Henry "a black shit" a month ago.

Today, in a bizarre response, a spokesman for the Spanish football federation blamed English journalists for provoking the chants. Fernando Garrido said: "There was racist shouting at some players? This hasn't happened in the Spanish league and in Spain for many years. So you will have to ask if you have contributed to what has happened."

Manchester United full-back Gary Neville claimed that if there was such a huge level of abuse from an England crowd, severe sanctions would be imposed.

"I can't understand the abuse and where it comes from I don't know," he said. "But on the major issues in the game - hooliganism and racism - if it is England, we would probably be kicked out of the competitions. England get treated differently when it comes to certain issues in football."

Aragones shamefully failed to condemn the racist taunts. However, Sven-Goran Eriksson was outspoken in his criticism of the Spain fans. "When things like this happen, something must be done," he said.

Captain David Beckham added: "When it happens in football all around the world, you feel ashamed. It wasn't good but people are trying to cut it out."

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "We will be writing to UEFA, FIFA and the Spanish Federation. I was disgusted. There was a big crowd and a lot of children. What kind of message does that send out?"

Manchester City condemned the racist chanting directed at Blues winger Wright-Phillips. City head of communications Paul Tyrrell said: "The treatment handed out to several of the England players was sickening and deplorable. Shaun is a strong character who will be unaffected by what happened."