France defender Mikael Silvestre believes Spain coach Luis Aragones should have been suspended for his racist remarks about Thierry Henry.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's World Cup last 16 match between Spain and France in Hanover, Silvestre revealed Aragones' comments - when he referred to Henry as a "black ****" during a Spain training session - had offended not only Henry but many others as well.

Silvestre said: "We disapprove of that kind of comment even if it was in the context of a training session.

"There are ways to motivate players without that kind of language."

Aragones made his remarks as he was trying to urge Jose Antonio Reyes to prove he was better than Henry.

Silvestre continued: "Everyone was talking about it. A coach shouldn't talk like that as he is meant to set an example."

The Manchester United player, who will probably be replaced against Spain by Eric Abidal, believed the nominal fine imposed on the coach was not a sufficient penalty.

"He should have been suspended for a while," said Silvestre. "The World Cup is a good place and I don't think there is much racism - let's avoid that."

Comparing the situation in Spain to England, Silvestre said: "England made a choice to rid the game of hooligans and now it's safe to go to the stadium again."