Capello at odds with the FA

Capello: Happy with Madrid

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England coach Fabio Capello insists that he would be happy to take on Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.

The FA had said that they did not want Real Madrid's home ground to be used as a venue for the proposed friendly after some of England's players were racially abused the last time England played there in 2004.

But former title-winning Real boss Capello, who had requested the fixture, has distanced himself from criticism of the choice of grounds by the Spanish Football Federation.

"It is a mistake by the FA's director of communications (Adrian Bevington). I don't know how my name has appeared in this," Capello told Spanish newspaper Marca.

Love

"Why wouldn't I want to play at the Bernabeu? It is my home. Everyone knows I love Spain. I have a house in Marbella and I love Madrid, a marvellous city where I have spent two unforgettable years.

"I don't decide where England plays. It is a decision the English FA and the Spanish Federation will have to agree on. I don't care where the game is played and obviously if it is at the Bernabeu all the better."

Bevington said the FA were still in talks with their Spanish counterparts about the scheduling of the game with the Spanish Federation (RFEF) insisting they will decide on the venue.

"Nothing has been agreed with the English FA. If we do make a deal it will be

played where the Spanish Federation thinks opportune," said RFEF spokesman Jorge Carretero.

"The RFEF has received no communication from the English FA (over their refusal to play at the Bernabeu). The fans at the Bernabeu are excellent, just as they are in the whole of Spain."