But leading officials were privately still dismayed that FIFA had not gone further than issuing a warning that any repetition may lead to matches being played behind closed doors or expulsion from one or more FIFA competitions, such as the World Cup.

The anti-racism campaign group Kick It Out described the punishment as “simply not good enough“, claiming it proved FIFA were not taking the issue seriously enough.

FIFA embarked upon a month-long investigation into the widespread racist abuse hurled at several England players, most notably Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole, during the game in the Bernabeu stadium on November 17.

This followed similar, albeit lower-profile, taunts aimed at England Under-21 players the previous evening, and the FA immediately expressed their horror at the abuse.

However, they still tried to steer a diplomatic path by avoiding direct appeals for strong action and this approach was evident in the response on their website, www.theFA.com.

Their statement read: “Following the deplorable acts of racism which occurred in Madrid last month, the FA expressed their strong views and concerns to FIFA, UEFA and the Spanish Federation in writing.

“At that time, the FA stated very clearly that it was ultimately FIFA’s responsibility to determine what disciplinary action should be taken.

“The FA must accept FIFA’s decision to fine the Spanish FA 100,000 Swiss Francs.

“The FA are firmly committed to fighting racism in football at all levels of the game.

“We will continue to adopt a zero tolerance approach to any racist behaviour in English football and whenever any of our teams play abroad.

“Racism is the scourge of the game and it is the responsibility of all who care about football to do everything within their power to eradicate it.”

Anti-racism campaigners were hoping for more serious action to be taken against the Spanish authorities after such blatant abuse of black England players by so many spectators in Madrid.

Piara Powar, director and spokesman for Kick It Out, told the Press Association: “Our immediate reaction is this judgment doesn’t go far enough.

“We would have expected for the Spanish to be forced to play behind closed doors and warned about any incidents of racism at future games.

“The extent and the impact of what happened at the Bernabeu was so far-reaching and so important that FIFA needed to send out a clear and decisive message that there is no excuse for any country that doesn’t meet the challenge of tackling racism.”

FIFA had vowed in their statement that “the Spanish football association or their relevant representative team may be forced to play behind closed doors or face exclusion from FIFA competitions if these offences are repeated“.

However, Powar insisted: “That cuts little ice. This is no worse than a slap on the wrist.

“We are talking about one of the major European football nations here. This is not an impoverished football association.

“They could afford a heavier fine, they should have been made to play behind closed doors, which as a footballing nation is the worst that can happen. It kills the atmosphere and revenue is lost.

“The chanting that night was deeply offensive and demeans human beings.

“This is simply not good enough by FIFA. It shows some governing bodies do not have a concerted approach to dealing with racism.”