England have agreed to play a friendly in Spain next year, but the FA and Fabio Capello have refused to allow the game to be played in Madrid, where England were subjected to racist abuse in 2004.

The FA say they remain committed to the game, which was personally request by the England coach, and although an official agreement has not been reached it is expected to take place on Wednesday, February 11.

However, the FA want to avoid a return to Madrid, where Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas all received racist abuse from home supporters. The Spanish Federation were eventually fined £45,000 for the incident.

"We are currently in discussions with the Spanish Federation with a view to playing the European Champions in Spain in February," Adrian Bevington, the FA director of communications, said. "This fixture is one of the friendly games that Fabio Capello requested to play. But as yet, a venue is still to be confirmed and the contract still to be signed.

"However, from the outset, the FA, with Fabio, were clear we would not play the fixture in Madrid due to the incidents of racial abuse we faced last time."

Last month, Emile Heskey, the Wigan Athletic forward, was racially abused by Croatia fans in Zagreb, and the FA are keen to take a stand on the issue.

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