Spain’s national coach Luis Aragones is to face a disciplinary inquiry over his alleged racist comments about Thierry Henry.
Aragones is not surprised the Spanish FA (RFEF) have decided to act.
“I was expecting it, because the president (Angel Maria Villar) told me it was going to happen,” he said. “In a case like this everyone has the right to defend themselves.”
If found guilty Aragones could lose his job or face a fine of about £22,000.
Spain’s Football Federation had initially declined to take action against Aragones after comments he made during a national team training session in October.
But its president Angel Maria Villar changed his mind after a request by Spain’s anti-violence commission.
Aragones insisted the comments, made to Henry’s Arsenal club-mate Jose Antonio Reyes, were intended to motivate the player, and were not offensive.
“I never intended to offend anyone, and for that reason I have a very easy conscience,” he said at the time.
“I’m obliged to motivate my players to get the best results and as part of that job, I use colloquial language, with which we can all understand each other within the framework of the football world. ”
In the wake of Aragones remarks, England’s black players were subjected to racist abuse when they played Spain in an international friendly match in Madrid in November.
