Blatter on the rack as racism row escalates
On a day when the FA charged Liverpool’s Luis Suarez with racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, and with a racism investigation against John Terry still going on, in two TV interviews Blatter said racism on the field of play is not a problem.
His suggested solution was for a handshake to settle any issue — provoking Rio Ferdinand to express his “astonishment”.
Asked if he thought there was racism on the pitch, the FIFA president said: “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 also the one who is affected by that. He should say that 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.
“I think the whole world is aware of the efforts we are making against racism and discrimination. And, on the field of play sometimes you say something that is not very correct, but then at the end of the game, the game is over and you have the next game where you can behave better.”
In a separate interview, he said: “During a match you may say something to someone who’s not looking exactly like you, but at end of match it’s forgotten.”
Manchester United and England defender Ferdinand said on his Twitter account: “Tell me I have just read Sepp Blatter’s comments on racism in football wrong... if not then I am astonished.
“I feel stupid for thinking that football was taking a leading role against racism.....it seems it was just on mute for a while.
“Just for clarity if a player abuses a referee, does a shake of the hand after the game wipe the slate clean??”
Ferdinand added: “@SeppBlatter your comments on racism are so condescending its almost laughable. If fans shout racist chants but shake our hands is that ok?”
Anti-racism group Kick It Out also condemned Blatter and claimed his comments revealed a “worrying” lack of leadership on the subject.
And PFA chief Gordon Taylor said: “It’s ironic Sepp Blatter should come out and talk like that because we’ve worked hard to get FIFA to have anti-racism on the agenda. It’s very insensitive and inappropriate.’’
A FIFA statement after the interviews read: “Sepp Blatter has been campaigning against racism in football for many, many years.
“His comments today in no way reflect that passionate stance.”
Blatter released a statement to clarify his stance on fighting racism, claiming his comments had been misunderstood. The statement said: “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.
“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. Anyone who has played a football match, or a match in any sport, knows that this is the case.’’
The timing of Blatter’s comments could hardly have been worse coming as they did on the same day Suarez was charged with racially abusing Evra following a month-long investigation by the FA. Liverpool have said their Uruguayan striker will deny the charge at a personal hearing and that they remain “fully supportive” of him.
Evra made the claims immediately after the match at Anfield on October 15 telling French TV Suarez used a racist insult to him “at least 10 times”.
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