Vieira calls for Aragones action

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Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira is disappointed no action has been taken against Spain coach Luis Aragones for his comments about Thierry Henry.

Aragones made derogatory remarks about Henry last month which has sparked a racism row engulfing Spanish football.

"If players are meant to set an example then the coaches have a particular responsibility," said Vieira.

"They should not be allowed to make such remarks, especially when they are broadcast to young people."

England's black players and, in particular, Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips were subjected to monkey chants during the friendly in Spain on 17 November.

Vieira has endured similar racist abuse when he has played against Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia for Arsenal.

"He is taking Spanish footballers for idiots. He is taking all players for idiots," said the 28-year-old midfielder.

"It does not stand up. It is pure hypocrisy.

"The lack of reaction after what Aragones said shows how uncontroversial racist attitudes have become in Spain.

"I am also disappointed neither Fifa or Uefa made any remark to criticise him. He is Spain coach after all."

We can talk all day about this matter but what is actually happening? Nothing Arsenal striker Thierry Henry Aragones refutes racism slur

Aragones argued he made the remark about Henry in his attempts motivate his club team-mate and Spain forward Jose Antonio Reyes.

Henry is determined to rise above the racist comments but has also been left shaking his head at the lack of action from football's ruling bodies.

"I was with France with the national team and I saw it on television. That's it, I had a game to play with France. Then I came back here and there was the game against Manchester United," he said.

"I am a footballer and I have to concentrate on my game. I have to leave that to the people who have the opportunity to deal with that.

"What can I do? Say 'let's talk about it and sit around a table'? What can I say?

"These are the sort of questions we need to put to the people in power. We can talk all day about this matter but what is actually happening? Nothing."

Cole has called on Spanish coach Aragones started the controversy with his comments about Henry and he should now be sacked in the wake of the racist abuse suffered in Spain.

"Surely the Spanish FA must get rid of him now," Cole told the News of the World newspaper.

Have Your Say on 606 Should England's players have walked off?

"To me it was Aragones who started everything that happened. So it's surely no surprise that the fans then behaved as they did.

"And still their manager has not condemned it - it's as if he agrees with it. If you don't condemn it then you must condone it."

Cole clashed with Aragones on the touchlines during the game, during which the Arsenal player "pushed him back".

"It was stupid and I shouldn't have done it - but I was furious," said Cole.

"The way he looked at me - he had so much anger in his face. He didn't say anything but the look on his face was evil."