The Spanish Football Federation insist it is too early to say whether they will agree to their English counterparts' request to play a friendly somewhere other than at their usual home of the Bernabeu.
The English Football Association confirmed on Monday a friendly with the European champions had been personally requested by coach Fabio Capello, but they are keen to avoid a return to Madrid, mindful of the racism 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 (RFEF) were eventually fined €45,000.
The RFEF admitted they were aware of the FA's concerns but insisted it was too early to make any decision.
‘We haven't signed anything with the English FA,’ RFEF spokesman Jorge Carretero told PA Sport. ‘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.’
It should just be a matter of time before the match is firmed up, however, and the fixture is expected to be played on Wednesday, 11 February, the only remaining FIFA international date still to be filled.
Given it was only last month Emile Heskey was singled out for racist abuse in Croatia, England are keen to take 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 England boss Capello was coach up until last year.
However, Carretero insists the RFEF will have the final say on the matter.
‘We are aware of their worry,’ he continued. ‘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.’
FA director of communications Adrian Bevington said on Monday: ‘We are currently in discussions with the Spanish Federation with a view to playing the European Champions in Spain in February.
‘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 were also 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 RFEF on a number of anti-racism measures before the proposed fixture, which both bodies are expected to support.
