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18 November 2004  
David Beckham post-match 
 
Jermaine Jenas post-match 

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Captain David Beckham says he was surprised and shocked by the abuse aimed at England's black players in the Bernabeu - on what was an unsettling night for everyone involved in the game.

He said: “It’s disappointing when it happens anywhere in world football because we all know how wrong it is - and so many people are working so hard to cut it out of the game.

“I was surprised because I’ve never heard it in Spain even though I live and play here. But it happens all around the world and that’s why people are working so hard to stamp it out.

“Our players are strong enough to deal with it, they are strong personalities and strong characters. They know what it takes to handle it, but of course they shouldn’t have to.”

Midfielder Jermaine Jenas was particularly keen to talk about the issue and felt it would be wrong to let it go unnoticed.

He said: "I was disappointed with the way the crowd reacted. I didn't expect it on such a big stage.

"It shows The FA are right to continue campaigning against racism in football because it is still there.

"It's never nice to hear racist abuse at any level of football. We're professionals so we have to get on with it but when you hear that kind of thing it can get to you.

"Both teams lined up in front of an anti-racism banner before kick-off and we wore the t-shirts. But it still went on and that's disappointing.

"There's not much we can do as players on the pitch, we don't want to react because we want to stay focused on the game. But it's not nice and it definitely needs to be stamped out."

The FA's Head of Media Relations Adrian Bevington also spoke out to condemn the "disgraceful" actions: "You struggle to find words to explain the kind of behaviour we have seen inside this stadium. It's completely unacceptable," he said.

"Sadly we have seen something that we have not seen in England for the best part of 20 years.

"We will be making a full report on this to FIFA and to UEFA and will be sending a letter of complaint to the Spanish Federation. Football as a whole should stand up and express its disgust at what has gone on here," added Bevington.

"Quite frankly, it's a disgrace."