Contrary to reports, the Football Association are committed to a friendly against the European champions - a fixture personally requested by coach Fabio Capello.

Although an official agreement is yet to be reached between the FA and their Spanish counterparts, the fixture is expected to be played on Wednesday, February 11, the only remaining FIFA international date still to be filled.

However, the FA want to avoid a return to Madrid, mindful of the problems England experienced last time they visited the Spanish capital four years ago.

Shaun Wright-Phillips was abused, along with Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas. The Spanish Federation were eventually fined £45,000.

Given it was only last month that Emile Heskey was singled out for similar treatment in Croatia, England are keen to be taking a stand on such matters and have made it a condition of the game that it will not be held at the Bernabeu - Spain's traditional, although not permanent, home and where Capello was coach up until last year.

"We are currently in discussions with the Spanish Federation with a view to playing the European champions in Spain in February," said FA director of communications Adrian Bevington.

"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.

"Fabio is totally supportive of this fixture."

With Madrid ruled out, Seville and Valencia would appear the most likely alternatives - although the FA are keen to stress no venue is in place, aware that a significant number of fans will want to make their travel arrangements.

Rather than see the problem simply move from one city to another, the FA have vowed to work closely with the Spanish Federation on a number of anti-racism measures before the proposed fixture, which both bodies are expected to support.

Providing crowd problems - which reared their head in much milder form at Wembley on Saturday - can be successfully combated, the fixture would be an exciting one for the Three Lions.

Capello regards Spain as the best international side in Europe at the moment, and worthy winners of Euro 2008.

With Liverpool's Fernando Torres spearheading their attack and Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas also in the Spain squad, there is significant Premier League interest.

Spain are currently captained by Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and beat Estonia 3-0 on Saturday in their latest World Cup qualifier.

Meanwhile the Spanish Football Federation insist they will have the final say on where the planned friendly is played - and have defended the "fantastic" Bernabeu supporters.

RFEF spokesman Jorge Carretero said: "We are aware of their worry.

"The FA were clear that they wouldn't play the game in Madrid because of the racist attacks that they were subject to in 2004.

"But the fans that go to the Bernabeu are fantastic as they are in the whole of Spain.

"We're not thinking about an alternative location because at the moment there is no contract that is signed.

"If we reach an agreement then the game will be played where the Spanish federation thinks is best."

Carretero stressed: "In all likelihood there will be a game, we want to play each other.

"But we haven't signed anything. There is no contract whatsoever that we will play each other.

"It's only when we sign a contract that we will decide where the game will take place."