Ambassador role for Henry

Thierry Henry has been appointed as FIFA’s senior ’fair play’ ambassador to campaign against racism in football.

Arsenal’s French striker has launched his own anti-racism campaign to which FIFA president Sepp Blatter today gave his support.

Blatter said: “FIFA will nominate ambassadors for fair play and Thierry Henry has agreed to be the doyen of those ambassadors, and he and other people will participate and try to work against racism.”

Henry’s campaign is being run in conjunction with sports goods manufacturers Nike, and Manchester United’s defender Gary Neville earlier this month voiced concerns about their involvement, saying: “We have just got to be aware that it is not cheapened slightly by companies like Nike getting a lot of PR out of it for nothing.”

Blatter, wearing one of Henry’s ’Stand Up Speak Up’ wristbands, however rejected Neville’s criticism.

He said: “This is a humanitarian activity and if companies are supporting these campaigns then we should mention the name of the company.

“There cannot be enough involvement of our marketing partners when it comes to delivering a message which will not only help our game but will help make the world a better place.”