Spain starting to tackle problem of racism

MADRID, March 8 (Reuters) - Three years ago when Spain's friendly match at the Bernabeu against England was marred by large-scale racist abuse, the Spanish Football Federation did its best to sweep the incident under the carpet.

Now football authorities, leading clubs, fans' groups and the government have come to recognise there is a problem and are beginning to take action to deal with it, according to one of the country's leading anti-racist campaigners.

''I'm a direct witness of the changes that are taking place in Spain,'' Esteban Ibarra, spokesman for the Movement against Intolerance told Reuters in an interview.

''Two or three years ago there was no recognition of the problem.

Doctors always say that you have to diagnose the disease before you can cure it. That has happened in Spanish football and society and so now we can start taking measures to deal with the problem.'' Although the incidents at the Bernabeu and the derogatory remarks by Spain coach Luis Aragones about France striker Thierry Henry in October 2004 brought the issue of racism on to the political agenda, Ibarra believes the debate now has to move on to dealing with the roots of the problem.

''We aren't going to demand tougher sanctions against Luis Aragones. He has recognised that his words weren't wise and he has reiterated on several occasions that he is not racist and so he hasn't legitimised racist behaviour.

SIDE-TRACKED ''We shouldn't get side-tracked by this matter any longer.

What we have to look at is the area where the problem is getting bigger and that is amongst the Ultra groups at the stadiums.'' Ibarra's argument is that no matter how distasteful Aragones's remarks or the events at the Bernabeu, the core of the problem lies with the radical fans who have made racist abuse a routine occurrence at so many Spanish football grounds.

''The problem has got bigger and is present in practically every stadium in the first, second and third division,'' said Ibarra whose organisation works closely with the government and football authorities in monitoring incidents of racism in soccer.

''The behaviour is contaminating youngsters of 14, 15, 16 years old. They are our future in football and society and that is where we have to direct our attention. The Aragones debate is over. It should be left alone and we should be looking at where the real problem is.'' Ibarra and other anti-racist groups have applauded the Spanish government's moves to introduce a new law dealing with racism and violence in sport, but he is keen that the legislation should not get watered down while it is debated in parliament where it has been held up for the last six months.

''We need to complement campaigns which are aimed at raising awareness with stronger, more severe legislation to combat the groups that organise violence and encourage racism.

''Judges and politicians have to be firmer and work harder to dismantle the illegal racist and neo-Nazi groups that are often behind the Ultra fans.'' ITALY EXAMPLE Ibarra believes that events in Italy, where a policeman was killed during disturbances by Ultra fans last month, provide a stark warning of what can happen if the problem is not dealt with effectively.

''In Italy there was a rising tide of Ultra behaviour and an institutional permissiveness towards their violent behaviour. We have seen a player there like (Paulo) Di Canio do a fascist salute after scoring a goal. All this provides us with an example of the path we should not follow.

''The Ultras should have two choices. They can either operate within the law and accept the constitution and its norms of respect and human rights or else they should have to face the full force of the law.

''They shouldn't be allowed to move in some sort of no-man's land as they have done up to now.'' Ibarra says it is up to the authorities to ensure that a permissive policy is not allowed to continue.

''We are in time to cut this development but we need greater awareness, tougher laws and the cooperation of football authorities, government and the legal system. They shouldn't hesitate or get sidetracked into superficial debates which distract from the core of the problem.'' REUTERS SAM VC1038