Henry can forgive but ‘will never forget’

THIERRY Henry insisted he could “forgive but never forget” Spain coach Luis Aragones’ racist slur as he revealed how it had prompted him to launch a Europe-wide anti-racism campaign.

Henry said he would be prepared to meet Aragones, who was filmed using a racist term to describe the Arsenal striker during a Spain training session last year. However, he still cannot believe the Spain coach’s comments, warning the “game was suffering” because of the enduring racism problem in some countries.

“It makes me think of a proverb - you can always forgive but I will never forget,” he said.

“I could meet him, I would have no problem with that. I can forgive but it will always be in my mind.”

Aragones has been investigated but not yet punished for his racist comments, having insisted he was merely trying to motivate Henry’s Arsenal team-mate Jose Reyes.

Henry said: “There is no possible reason to say something like that. When I heard about what he had said, I was preparing for a game with France and I thought someone was telling me a bad joke.

“But then I realised it was true. Surely there is some other way to motivate a player. I have had many bosses in my career and they have never said anything like that to motivate me.”

That incident, together with racist abuse endured by Henry in Athens and the lack of strong action against Spanish fans who taunted black England players in Madrid, convinced him to make a stand.

Together with Nike, he enlisted the help of leading players around Europe to launch a campaign Stand Up Speak Up, together with a black and white interlocked wristband.

At yesterday’s launch, when he was joined by Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, he revealed why he had been prompted to take action.

“I was asked what I wanted to be done and I said that I would like the authorities to step in a bit harder, but then I thought that I could bring everyone behind me in the fight against racism,” he said.

“We are suffering out there as human beings but the game is suffering as well. We are aware that this campaign cannot change everything but doing nothing will certainly not change anything.”

The Stand Up Speak Out campaign will launch thousands of wristbands, available for a £1.50 charity donation, and promote a Europe-wide advertising campaign.

It will even bring together the players of Arsenal and United, who will all wear the wristbands in next week’s clash at Highbury. After that, surely nothing is impossible.