'Racism widespread in Spain'

Madrid - Barcelona's Brazilian fullback Dani Alves said on Thursday that racism is rife throughout the Spanish game and claimed he was racially abused during Wednesday's Spanish Cup tie at Real Madrid.

"It is a war that is being lost because until you take more drastic measures it will continue to exist," Alves told a news conference.

Alves had complained on Twitter that he was abused in Wednesday's semi-final first-leg tie at Real's Santiago Bernabeu home where the game ended 1-1.

"I didn't consider leaving the pitch, but it is annoying. I get it at all the grounds I go to. I have been in Spain for 10 years and it's been happening since the first year."

Alves believes that punishments need to be more severe.

"We must punish the club, but not by 1 000 or 2 000 euros. For a big club that is nothing. We have to do a lot more otherwise it'll continue to exist."