Blatter: Racism row is closed

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he’s apologised enough for his recent comments on racism and considers the matter “closed.”

Blatter expressed regret last week for the uproar caused by his claim that racial incidents between players on the field could be settled by a handshake at the end of a game.

“I can only say this item for me is closed,” Blatter said at the Asian Football Confederation’s headquarters in Malaysia yesterday. “There is no tolerance (of) racism. I have been interpreted as such and I have made my apologies. I cannot say anything more.”

Blatter was responding to a question about his next move after QPR manager Neil Warnock suggested last week that black players around the world boycott their next international matches in a show of protest against Blatter. “There is no discrimination in my feelings, there is no racism, nothing at all,” Blatter said. “This matter for me is over. We go forward. There is zero tolerance (for) racism, zero tolerance (for) discrimination in all activities in the field of play and outside the field.”

Blatter insisted he was not surprised by the British media’s strong criticism of him and calls for him to stand down but added that he was “very much hurt by these comments because it touched me in my conscience and my determination to go against racism”. The 75-year-old Blatter, who was reelected to a four-year term in June, last week ruled out leaving his post.

Blatter sidestepped questions relating to former FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam’s return. Bin Hammam was banned from football amid allegations he tried to bribe officials to vote for him.

“We will wait for the outcome (of the appeal) of the next step,” Blatter said on his first trip to AFC headquarters since Bin Hammam’s ban.

Also, Blatter declined to take a clear stance on renewed calls from Asia to allow the use of Islamic headscarves for female players. FIFA banned the Islamic scarf in 2007 citing safety concerns. Blatter said the issue could be handled by the International Football Association Board, which determines the rules of the game.