Aragones plays down race row

Luis Aragones has insisted that the Spanish game does not suffer from racism.

National coach Luis Aragones has insisted that the Spanish game does not suffer from a racism problem, despite Samuel Eto'o's recent troubles.

The Barcelona striker threatened to walk off the pitch in a recent Primera Liga game against Real Zaragoza after being the victim of racist abuse from the stands.

Zaragoza were fined what many perceived to be a paltry ‚é¼9,000 (£6,175) for the disgraceful scenes that marked the latest race row to hit the Spanish game.

It was Aragones himself who was at the centre of perhaps the most high-profile incident when he used a racial slur directed at Thierry Henry when talking to his Arsenal team-mate Jose Antonio Reyes in October 2004.

Aragones was fined ‚é¼3,000 (£2,060) for the indiscretion, and has now suggested that Eto'o, whom he mentored at Mallorca for a while, has misunderstood the actions of the Zaragoza fans and that there is no racism problem in Spanish football.

"Eto'o may have confused things," said Aragones.

"Insults take a different form here, so I don't think there's racism.

"Eto'o has taken literally some things which were said to him and the affair has been exaggerated."

Aragones comments come at an unfortunate time, as after the Eto'o incident, renewed calls for action against racists in Spain have been aired and Aragones' own national side paraded a banner against the scourge of the game in their recent friendly against Ivory Coast.

Eto'o's stand has been well received in Barcelona and after scoring in the 3-2 win over Deportivo, he took part in what has been perceived as a symbolic celebration as he waved a Cameroon flag in Camp Nou.

Despite denying that his celebration had any significance for the current debate over racism in Spain, the Barca striker reiterated his calls for stronger action to be taken against the perpetrators.

"We have to take tough decisions against racism," said Eto'o.

"But the celebration was not pre-planned, I saw the supporter of Cameroon earlier in the match, so when I scored I ran to him and told him to hand it to me, so I could celebrate."

Uefa are currently considering whether to impose points deductions on clubs found guilty of racism.