Roy brushes aside Nazi salute storm
ROY HODGSON expects the FA to dismiss accusations that Wayne Hennessey made a Nazi salute.
The Crystal Palace boss (right) launched a passionate defence of his goalkeeper 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-yearold 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 explained it very 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 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 south east London. “Discrimination is abhorrent to us and I think our club is 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. The picture of Hennessey with one arm raised and the other over his mouth appeared on teammate Max Meyer’s Instagram, but the German midfielder does not believe he was making an offensive gesture either.
Hodgson rejected claims by Jermain Defoe, now on loan at Rangers from Bournemouth, that the former England striker had turned down a move to Palace, saying: “It’s not true. We had no interest in Jermain.”
The Eagles remain on the lookout 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.
He 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.”