Aragones' racist remarks fine overturned

Spain coach Luis Aragones has successfully appealed a €3,000 fine handed to him for making derogatory comments about Thierry Henry.

Aragones was caught on camera making racist remarks about the Arsenal striker in October 2004.

The following month England’s black players were treated to a tirade of racist abuse from fans in Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium in an international friendly.

The Spanish Football Federation came under pressure to act and opened an investigation with the judge leading the probe recommending Aragones be fined for behaviour “contrary to the good order of the sport”.

Aragones appealed and has claimed victory, telling Cadena Ser radio station: “My lawyer told me this morning.

“I went to court because it was a stain on my reputation and because the offence did not exist as some judges thought.”

The ruling is definitive and there is no right of appeal.

Spain play England in a friendly at Old Trafford tonight.