Racism Will Out...Apparently

Remember a couple of years ago when I wrote a couple of pieces about racists and fascists in European football? Well, it seems that they still keep getting away with it. Spain national team coach Luis Aragonés has, after almost 2 years, successfully appealed a £2,000 fine for calling Arsenal striker Thierry Henry "that black shit" in an effort to rev up one of his players prior to a match against France. He maintained that he had not meant to offend anyone.

However, his vigorous defense of his comments prior to a friendly match vs. England in Spain led to "a tirade of racist abuse from fans in Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu stadium" against visit black players, according to the Guardian.

According to the paper, "The ruling is definitive and there is no right of appeal, however Aragonés could face a hostile reception when his Spain team play England in a friendly at Old Trafford tonight." Here's hoping so.

Photo © Associated Press