Spain coach Luis Aragones apologised on Thursday for the offence caused by the language he used to describe French striker Thierry Henry but said his conscience was clear over accusations of racism.

Aragones was sharply criticised in France and England after being picked up by TV microphones trying to motivate Jose Antonio Reyes by telling him he was better than "that black shit", in reference to the striker's Arsenal colleague Henry.

"In the first place I want to clarify that I never intended to offend anyone, and for that reason I have a very easy conscience," the 66-year-old Aragones said in a statement issued by Spain's Football Federation.

"Secondly, what I said can only be understood in the context of the team and a training session, in which I am obliged to motivate my players to get the best results.

"As part of that job, I use colloquial language, with which we can all understand each other within the framework of the football world.

"Finally, and understanding the importance that the post of national coach has, I can only apologise to the people who may have been offended, reiterating that it was never my intention to belittle anyone because, amongst other things, I would be doing as much to many of my friends."

Aragones's comments made back-page news in tabloids in Britain, where a former manager, Ron Atkinson, resigned as a television pundit in April after making racist comments over the performance of Chelsea's captain last season, Marcel Desailly.

STIFF CRITICISM

The coach also received stiff criticism from the editor of sports daily As and Henry's Arsenal colleague Robert Pires.

"He should be sued for racial aggression," Pires told reporters at France's training ground. "He shouldn't be allowed to get away with it. He needs to be cornered on this."

As editor Alfredo Relano described Aragones's comments as "obscene and outdated".

"Luis used inappropriate words, more inappropriate still when he was in front of millions of eyes and ears hidden behind the television cameras," Relano wrote.

"I'm aware that Luis is not a racist ... but you cannot speak as he spoke. I'm sure he chose his words without any wish to offend ... but his obscene, outdated language gives him, and us, a problem.

"A national team coach has a representative role and he has to know this. He must also know that speaking like this is out of order, whether it is in private or in public, whether the cameras are present or not."

Aragones also received plenty of support in Spain, where such language, whatever Relano says, is by no means uncommon.

Spain's bestselling newspaper Marca wrote: "It goes without saying that Aragones's intention was not to bring racist overtones to the matter."

"The coach expressed himself in his own way, with vehemence, to get the message through loud and clear to Reyes."

For Michel Salgado, the Spanish player called on to attend Thursday's early news conference, the media were to blame for whipping up the row.

"The messenger is to blame," Salgado said. "This is being given far too much importance.

"Everyone knows that Aragones did not say this to sound like a racist. That's madness."

Spain play Belgium in a Group Seven World Cup qualifier in Santander on Saturday before travelling to face Lithuania away on Wednesday.