Court overturns fine for Aragones's remarks about Henry

MADRID, Feb 7 (Reuters) Spain coach Luis Aragones has won his legal appeal against a 3,000 euro (3,878 dollar) fine given to him for making derogatory remarks about France striker Thierry Henry in October 2004.

''My lawyer told me this morning,'' Aragones told Cadena Ser radio late yesterday. ''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.

Aragones caused controversy in October 2004 when he was heard in a training session telling striker Jose Antonio Reyes that he was better than ''that black shit'', referring to the Spaniard's Arsenal team mate Henry.

Aragones apologised after widespread criticism of his behaviour, saying he had not meant to offend anyone and that his conscience was clear.

He stirred further controversy, however, by mounting an energetic defence of his comments before a friendly against England in November 2004.

That match in Madrid was marred by racist abuse of England's black players by sections of the crowd.

The Spanish Football Federation opened an investigation into the coach's behaviour and the judge leading the probe recommended a 3,000-euro fine for behaviour ''contrary to the good order of the sport''.

Spain's government-run Anti-violence Commission called for tougher punishment, saying that Aragones's remarks ''could be deemed to be racist or xenophobic'', while the coach himself appealed against the fine saying he had done nothing wrong.

Spain play England in a friendly at Old Trafford today.

REUTERS PDS PM1755