AT THE end of a mixed day for race relations in Spain, the FA is to send a letter of complaint to Uefa, the governing body of the European game, after a number of black players in the England Under-21 side were subjected to abuse during the friendly international last night.

Darren Bent, Carlton Cole and Glen Johnson — the last of whom was sent off — were taunted with offensive chants during the defeat to Spain in Alcalá de Henares, near Madrid. Francesc Fábregas, of Arsenal, scored the only goal in the 62nd minute. “I heard something in the first half, which was a bit disappointing,” Peter Taylor, the England coach, said. “I ’ll let the FA deal with it.”

Johnson’s dismissal for two bookable offences — the second for sarcastically applauding the referee — was the low point of a generally miserable evening for England, who failed to muster a shot on target. The Chelsea full back has now been shown the red card on three occasions in the past 13 months and Taylor had some cautionary words for the 20-year-old.

“I thought it was a wee bit harsh for a friendly — it’s not the worst crime in the world — but Glen has got to learn to count to ten. It’s part of his game he has to improve if he wants to play for the senior team, for Chelsea and in the Champions League.” Because of the non-competitive status of the game, however, Johnson will not be suspended.

This was the first defeat of Taylor’s second spell in charge of the Under-21s — which had previously brought four victories and a draw — and comfortably the least convincing performance. Aside from Stewart Downing, who came on as a substitute, and a centre-half pairing of Matt Dawson and Nicky Hunt, there were few obvious causes for satisfaction.

Taylor, who was lacking several regulars at this level, including Jermaine Pennant and Jonathan Stead, professed a lack of concern. “We had a few injuries and so had to make some changes,” he said, “and that makes it like a pre-season friendly. The result is not everything.”

Neither goalkeeper was overemployed, but Spain’s confidence grew as the evening progressed. In the 59th minute, Jesís Navas’s shot stung the fingertips of Lee Camp, who turned the ball away with some difficulty. It was the first moment of any note.

Downing arrived after an hour, but was given little chance to settle. Within two minutes, Spain took the lead, Andrés Iniesta striking a free kick and Fábregas, 17, poking a shot beyond Camp. England’s composure deserted them. When they were awarded a free kick for a foul on Hunt, Johnson’s reaction was sarcastic and punished.

SPAIN UNDER-21 (4-1-4-1): A Riesgo (sub: M Ruben, 62min) — S Ramos (sub: J Melli, 46), D Jarque, C García, C Peña — A Zapater (sub: V Vitolo, 46) — X Prieto (sub: R Hector Font, 62), G Gabi (sub: F Fábregas, 46), A Iniesta, S Cazorla (sub: Jesús Navas, 46) — Sergio García (sub: J Arizmendi, 62). Substitute not used: I Ramis.

ENGLAND UNDER-21 (4-4-2): S Carson (Leeds United; sub: L Camp, Derby County, 46) — G Johnson (Chelsea), M Dawson (Nottingham Forest; sub: C Davenport, West Ham United, 79), N Hunt (Arsenal; sub: L Ridgewell, Aston Villa, 79), D Harding (Brighton and Hove Albion) — D Ambrose (Newcastle United; sub: W Routledge, Crystal Palace, 60), J Hoyte (Arsenal), P Whittingham (Aston Villa), J Milner (Newcastle United; sub: S Downing, Middlesbrough, 60) — C Cole (Aston Villa), D Bent (Ipswich Town). Substitute not used: B Watson (Crystal Palace). Booked: Johnson, Hunt. Sent off: Johnson.

Referee: F X Wack (Germany).

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