FIFA is under pressure to act decisively following the racist abuse directed at England players during Wednesday's friendly against Spain in Madrid.

Soccer's world governing body is investigating after black England players were subjected to monkey chants in Spain's 1-0 victory in Madrid on Wednesday and in the under-21 international between the two countries the previous night.

Past precedent suggests a fine or a possible order to play home games behind closed doors are the most likely punishments for Spain but English officials believe that alone is insufficient.

"The key thing here is that in line with whatever penalty FIFA decide to impose or not it's important that education and campaigning are the way forward as well," FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said.

"That is the way that you really eradicate it, that's been proven in this country.

"The problems were there for all to see. We in England collectively acknowledged just over a decade ago that we had major problems with certain things, particularly racism.

"That's why the fantastic work with the 'Kick It Out' (anti-racism) groups supported by all the relevant organisations have helped reduce levels of racism in England to where we are now.

"It's not been completely eradicated but it is recognised around the world as the flagship...of how to work on removing it from the game.

"If individuals had been behaving in that way in an English stadium I would have hoped that through CCTV (closed-circuit television) footage they could have been identified and then punished through the appropriate channels and prevented from attending football matches."

"I am not trying to sit here saying that we are perfect ourselves. We know that there are still problems in this country that have to be resolved in a number of different ways.

"This is the future of football, this is the future of society and that's why the strongest messages have to be sent out."

STILL SHOCKED

Bevington admitted English soccer officials were still in shock at what happened on Wednesday, when England players Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Cole and Jermaine Jenas were abused almost every time they touched the ball.

"I am delighted to learn that they (FIFA) have already announced that they will investigate," he said.

"That takes it forward for us but we are still shocked by it. That hasn't reduced. It's so rare that you encounter that I think everyone was taken aback -- you're in the 21st century and witnessing what we encountered.

"What we experienced is something that no football team, no individual should ever have to experience. It's diabolical, isn't it?"

The English FA has written to the Spanish federation and FIFA detailing its version of events, Bevington said.

He added that no consideration had been given to calling the England players off the pitch in protest on Wednesday but hinted it might be a possibility in future.

"There is a lot of food for thought coming out of this," Bevington said. "One would hope that we are not confronted with this again. But if we were that is something we would clearly have to give consideration to.

"But I'm not suggesting that is what we are looking to do."