Silvestre: Aragones Should Have Been Suspended

[Scott]

From 365:

France defender Mikael Silvestre believes Spain coach Luis Aragones should have been suspended for his racist remarks about Thierry Henry.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's World Cup last 16 match between Spain and France in Hanover, Silvestre revealed Aragones' comments - when he referred to Henry as a "black ****" during a Spain training session - had offended not only Henry but many others as well.

Silvestre said: "We disapprove of that kind of comment even if it was in the context of a training session.

"There are ways to motivate players without that kind of language."

Aragones made his remarks as he was trying to urge Jose Antonio Reyes to prove he was better than Henry.

Silvestre continued: "Everyone was talking about it. A coach shouldn't talk like that as he is meant to set an example."

The Manchester United player, who will probably be replaced against Spain by Eric Abidal, believed the nominal fine imposed on the coach was not a sufficient penalty.

"He should have been suspended for a while," said Silvestre. "The World Cup is a good place and I don't think there is much racism - let's avoid that."

Comparing the situation in Spain to England, Silvestre said: "England made a choice to rid the game of hooligans and now it's safe to go to the stadium again."

[Busby Boy]

If that was the England manager he'd have been sacked without hesitation. It's clear though in Spain racism is rife and it's ok to do it which is a complete and utter joke!

[redom]

i totally agree, to say he was doing it to motivate reyes is a ridiculous excuse and his punishment wasnt anywhere near big enough, he should have been used as an example to show how racism wont be tolerated despite any pathetic reasons he spouted and kicked out of the game or at least recieved a lengthy ban but it was just glossed over, its farcical.

[Red Yank]

This is not acceptable behavior by anyone, and even worse from someone in a managerial position. To motivate someone by making a derogatory remark about another's racial, ethnic or religious background is just shameful and he should have been suspended to send a clear message that events such as this will not be tolerated PERIOD. The Spaniards could have kicked and screamed about it, but this type of behavior is much larger than a sport and if they don't understand that then they can go play pick-up matches with those Neo-Nazis in Germany that were threatening people of color to stay away.

[missunited]

Now we can all agree he is well out of line. However, is anyone actually surprised?

[spadge]

Not surprised by his actions at all.

But alarmed at the lack of action from FIFA on this matter, and the matter of racial abuse against black footballers that visit Spain in general.

Like it's been said before, if this was the England manager saying this, he would have been fired before FIFA could do that.
Obviously those flags carried out before each game, trying to end racial prejudices in the game are ignored by FIFA, who I suppose are the ones that ask for them to be shown.

[missunited]

I think FIFA usually leave these matters up to the nation's FA, and this is Spain so... Well, nothing will be done.

No offence to any Spaniards on here

[Red Yank]

missunited said:

I think FIFA usually leave these matters up to the nation's FA, and this is Spain so... Well, nothing will be done.

No offence to any Spaniards on here

I think in this case it's FIFA that should take a strong stance as we all know the Spanish FA just smiles and give small fines to clubs where racial incidents have occurred. As FIFA is the governing body of the WC it should stand by it's pledge to not tolerate this type of behavior.

[missunited]

nyjorge said:

missunited said:

I think FIFA usually leave these matters up to the nation's FA, and this is Spain so... Well, nothing will be done.

No offence to any Spaniards on here

I think in this case it's FIFA that should take a strong stance as we all know the Spanish FA just smiles and give small fines to clubs where racial incidents have occurred. As FIFA is the governing body of the WC it should stand by it's pledge to not tolerate this type of behavior.

Hey I completely agree with you, just not going to get my hopes up about them actually doing something.

[Red Devil Mikey]

i'm no fan or Aragones either and i dont trust him as a manager

[Raving-Red]

Aragones is a cunt...