THERE’S NO WAYNE HE MADE THAT GESTURE

Palace boss Hodgson backing for his keeper Hennessey in Nazi salute row

ROY HODGSON expects the FA to clear Wayne Hennessey of accusations he made a Nazi salute.

The Crystal Palace boss made a passionate defence of his keeper yesterday and insists the Wales international’s conscience is clear.

Hennessey was pictured making what appeared to be an offensive gesture on a club night out last Saturday, but insists he was just waving and shouting.

Hodgson revealed the 31-year-old called him on Sunday morning to explain – and insists the incident will not harm the club’s reputation because the player did nothing wrong.

The Eagles boss said: “I believe him totally. I have no reason to disbelieve him. The other players had no awareness of anything inappropriate. Wayne has e x p l a i n e d i t v e r y satisfactorily.

“I know Wayne. I have no hesitation in backing his version of the story. The player has made it perfectly clear about the situation.

“I gave it some thought, of course, especially when he contacted me the following day to tell me what had happened.

“But I fully believe his story and the story from the rest of our players and I don’t think Crystal Palace is a club that needs to have any fears about our record on equality.

“We are from southeast London. Discrimination is abhorrent to us and I think our club has very good in that respect. These are things that happen and they need to be allowed to pass.

“But I don’t think we need to fear for our reputation. Wayne has said everything that needs to be said. As far as I’m concerned that chapter was closed earlier in the week.”

Hennessey will not start against Watford today, but that is because Hodgson wants to keep faith with Vicente Guaita and not because of any off-field issue. The picture of Hennessey with one arm raised and the other over his mouth appeared on team-mate Max Meyer’s Instagram, but the German does not believe he was making an offensive gesture either.

Hodgson also rejected claims by Jermain Defoe that the former England striker had turned down a move to Palace, adding: “It’s not true. We had no interest in Jermain Defoe.”

The Eagles remain on the look-out for a striker after missing out on Dominic Solanke, but Hodgson revealed Christian Benteke is back in contention after four months out with a knee injury.

Hodgson said: “We are well aware in this window it’s a question of finding the necessary quality who would be of great help to us. That’s a hard person to find.”