Spanish roundup

Aragones in trouble for racial remark about Henry

MADRID (Reuters) -- Spain coach Luis Aragones landed himself in trouble on Wednesday after appearing to make a racist comment about French striker Thierry Henry during a training session.

Aragones approached Spain striker Jose Antonio Reyes, who like Henry plays for English club Arsenal, at Las Rozas and shouted in his face: "Some players have to see things more clearly.

"Tell that black [expletive] that you are better than him. Tell him from me. You're the best."

The 66-year-old Spain coach, who is preparing his team for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Belgium in Santander, later played down the incident. He said it had been a joke aimed at psyching up Reyes.

"I am a citizen of the world," Aragones told Radio Marca. "Some of my best friends are black, including those I had from childhood. The fact that I made a joke in order to motivate a player has nothing to do with being racist. I'm not a racist."

Reyes also said Aragones's comments were made in jest.

"He was just having a bit of a laugh and it was nothing important," the Arsenal forward told a news conference after the session.

"It was a moment's relaxation during a hard day of training. These are things that should be left on the training ground. Luis and myself know who we were talking about and there was nothing more to it."

Aragones is the most experienced coach in Spain, having sat in the dug out for 757 first division matches over a 30-year period.

He is famous for his fiery temper and outspoken comments and has made the headlines on several occasions during his career for public confrontations with players.

He took charge of the national team following Inaki Saez's resignation after Spain's disappointing performance at Euro 2004.

Reyes expects Belgium to be no match

MADRID (Reuters) -- Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes believes Belgium will be no match for Spain when the two sides meet in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday as long as his side approach the game with the right attitude.

"If Spain step on to the pitch with a winning mentality then Belgium won't be able to do anything to stop us," Reyes told a news conference at the team's training base in Las Rozas, Madrid on Wednesday.

"Of course we have respect for our opponents but we should be able to prove we are the better side once we get on to the pitch."

Reyes has been in fine form for Arsenal, notching six goals in eight games, just one behind team mate Thierry Henry who tops the premiership scoring charts.

The 21-year-old has yet to earn himself an undisputed place in the starting line-up for Spain, but should get a chance to prove himself in the absence of Valencia midfielder Vicente, who is out for two weeks with an ankle injury.

"I always want to take my opportunity and I have come here with the aim of playing for as long as I can for the national team," said the former Sevilla player.

"But even though Vicente isn't here this time there is still plenty of competition for places."

Spain coach Luis Aragones is set to field a new-look team for the Group Seven qualifier against Belgium in Santander.

In-form Barcelona playmaker Xavi is likely to feature in the midfield and Athletic Bilbao left back Asier del Horno should get his first start in a competitive match for the national side.

Spain, who made a disappointing first-round exit at Euro 2004, drew their opening match 1-1 away to Bosnia, while Belgium drew 1-1 at home to Lithuania.

Spain are due to play Lithuania in Vilnius on October 13.

Real names Butragueno as sporting director

MADRID (Reuters) -- Former Real Madrid striker Emilio Butragueno was officially named as the club's sporting director on Wednesday.

The 41-year-old replaces Jorge Valdano, who resigned from the post in June shortly before Florentino Perez was re-elected as club president.

Butragueno, popularly known as "El Buitre" (the vulture), became the symbol of the team that won five consecutive league titles between 1986 and 1990, playing over 560 matches for the club and scoring 217 goals.

He scored 26 goals in his 69 appearances for Spain and lies in third place behind Raul and Fernando Hierro in the all-time list of leading scorers.

Another former Real Madrid player, Michel, rejected a proposal to take up Butragueno's former position as assistant sporting director, saying that the club had not listened to his plans nor made him a serious financial offer.

Giuly latest to join Barca's injured list

MADRID (Reuters) -- Barcelona's injury problems compounded on Wednesday when French midfielder Ludovic Giuly was ruled out for two weeks because of a thigh strain.

The former Monaco player, who was forced to withdraw from the French squad for World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Cyprus, has returned to Barcelona for treatment.

The 28-year-old, who sustained the injury in last weekend's league match against Numancia, will miss Barcelona's next Champions League fixture against AC Milan on October 20.

Spanish state television also reported that Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o had to withdraw from Cameroon's squad to play Sudan in a World Cup qualifier after he was taken to hospital in Paris suffering from acute gastroenteritis.

Barcelona have suffered a string of injury problems since the start of the season.

Defender Gabri, midfielders Edmilson and Thiago Motta are out for at least six months after sustaining serious knee injuries in recent games, while left back Silvinho is out for a month because of another knee problem.

Midfielder Gerard is recovering from a groin strain and reserve goalkeeper Albert Jorquera is out for two months after having surgery on a broken wrist.

Despite their injury problems Barcelona lead both the Primera Liga and their group in the Champions League.

Both the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.