Spanish FA deny reports that Aragones wants to resign

The president of Spanish Football Federation has denied reports that Luis Aragones wants to resign his post as coach of the national side in the wake of a disciplinary investigation into his behaviour.

"Luis Aragones is really enthusiastic about the job, even more so than the day when he started," Federation president Angel Maria Villar told the Cope radio station yesterday.

"He is working hard and wants to remain as coach of the national team and we are all hoping that he will lead the team to qualification for the 2006 World Cup."

Aragones landed himself in trouble last October when he made an allegedly racist remark about Thierry Henry, referring to the France striker as a "black s***" when speaking to his Arsenal team-mate Jose Antonio Reyes during a squad training session ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Belgium.

The 66-year-old caused further controversy when he mounted an energetic defence of his remark on the eve of November's friendly international against England in which he criticised Britain's colonial past.

The friendly at the Bernabeu was marred by racist abuse and chanting directed at black England players by large sections of the crowd.

On the recommendation of Spain's Anti-violence Commission, the Federation opened a probe into Aragones's behaviour in December.

Aragones appeared before the judge charged with carrying out the investigation on Tuesday.

"The judge just asked me questions," said Aragones. "I am not allowed to give any details about what was said, but all I asked was that he should be as fair as possible with me."

The judge is not expected to complete his investigation for another month. He will then decide whether or not Aragones's behaviour merits any form of sanction although it will be up to the Federation to issue any punishment.