Blatter stands by remarks in racism row
Blatter followed his comments made on Wednesday in a fresh TV interview yesterday where he likened racist abuse on the pitch to “foul language”.
The furore sparked by comments made in earlier interviews given to CNN and Al Jazeera has led to calls for Blatter to resign but there looks to be little serious threat to his hold on the FIFA presidency.
In an interview with Fox Soccer, Blatter stuck to his guns.
He said: “Where human beings are, there are still some moments and we can never stop going against racism, against discrimination.
“But if you also be a little bit in a sporting spirit when there is something happening on the field of play, during a match between two players — I call it foul language.
“I’m not saying about discrimination, but it’s foul language, it’s a foul play. At the end of the match, if you have foul play (when) the match is over you shake hands now because it’s what we want to do. Before the match and at the end of the match everyone shall shake hands and therefore also forget what has been on the field of play.’’
Blatter’s earlier comments led to a Twitter war of words between him and England defender Rio Ferdinand.
The Manchester United defender criticised FIFA’s attempts to clarify Blatter’s comments with a statement on their website underneath a large picture of Blatter with South African minister Tokyo Sexwale, who was imprisoned on Robben Island during the apartheid era.
Ferdinand wrote: “Fifa clear up the blatter comments with a pic of him posing with a black man... I need the hand covering eyes symbol!!”
Blatter was stung into a response and replied directly to Ferdinand saying: “The ‘black man’ as you call him has a name: Tokyo Sexwale. He has done tremendous work against racism and apartheid in Africa.’’
Ferdinand responded himself to Blatter, saying: “To say what you said about racism in football spoke volumes of your ignorance to the subject.
“If we want 2 stamp out racism in society a football pitch is a good place to start — loved by billions of people around the world.”
Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor said the racism remarks were “the straw which broke the camel’s back” and that Blatter should step aside.
Taylor said: “Coming on top of his comments which were offensive about female footballers, his homophobic comments about homosexuals not going to Qatar, the World Cup bidding process, he won’t have technology over goal-line decisions and the corruption which is so plainly evident at FIFA. It is time for him to go.”
Birmingham manager Chris Hughton, one of only two black manager in the English professional game along with Charlton’s Chris Powell, expressed his concern at Blatter’s the comments on racism.
Former Republic of Ireland international Hughton said: “For me the massive concern is that one person who heads the world’s governing body firstly is allowed to make the comments that he made and secondly has made the comments that he’s made.
“They are totally unacceptable and I think most of the comments (about what Blatter said) I’ve heard very much agree with that.”
He added: “It [racism] can’t be dealt with a handshake because it is unacceptable.”
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy branded Blatter’s comments as “barmy” and called for him to resign.
McCarthy said: “They are outrageous comments from Blatter. I would expect better from a man heading that organisation, that’s for sure.
“It is doubtful whether he can remain. I say doubtful but he runs the place. He has got to resign if he is going to go.
“Whether he has got that about him, I don’t know. He shouldn’t have said it. I think he should go personally. His comments were barmy and at best misguided.”
Stoke boss Tony Pulis was another manager amazed by what Blatter had come out with. Pulis said: “I think one thing it proves is that he is miles away from what is actually happening in football and in the world. I’m amazed that he has come out with the comments.’’
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
