Fifa Chief Blatter Denies Racism In Football
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has come under fire after denying that football has a problem with racism on the field – and any incidents that do occur should be settled with a handshake at the end of the game.
The 75-year-old told CNN: ‘There is no racism [on the field], but maybe there is a word or gesture that is not correct.’
‘The one affected by this should say this is a game and shake hands.’
Asked whether he thought racism on the pitch was a problem, Blatter told CNN World Sport: ‘I would deny it. There is no racism.’
‘There is maybe one of the players towards another – he has a word or a gesture which is not the correct one.’
‘But the one who is affected by that, he should say ‘this is a game’. We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands, and this can happen, because we have worked so hard against racism and discrimination.’
The president of world football’s governing body later said his comments had been misunderstood.
Blatter said in a statement: ‘I would like to make it very clear, I am committed to the fight against racism and any type of discrimination in football and in society.’
‘I have been personally leading this battle against racism in football, which Fifa has been fighting through campaigns such as Say No to Racism.’
‘My comments have been misunderstood. What I wanted to express is that, as football players, during a match, you have ‘battles’ with your opponents, and sometimes things are done which are wrong.’
‘But, normally, at the end of the match, you apologise to your opponent if you had a confrontation during the match, you shake hands, and when the game is over, it is over.’
Meanwhile, the interview with CNN broke within hours of Liverpool striker Luis Suarez being charged by the Football Association with racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
The Metropolitan Police is also investigating allegations that Chelsea and England captain John Terry racially abused QPR’s Anton Ferdinand during a recent match at Loftus Road.
