Arm Cathartha na hÉireann
16th November 2011, 20:32
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has said football does not have a problem with racism on the field, and any incidents should be settled by a handshake.
The Football Association is probing two cases of alleged racism in England.
"There is no racism [on the field], but maybe there is a word or gesture that is not correct," Blatter told CNN. "The one affected by this should say 'this is a game' and shake hands."
The 75-year-old later said his comments had been misunderstood.
"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," Blatter said in a statement. "I have been personally leading this battle against racism in football, which Fifa has been fighting against throughout the past years through campaigns in all of our competitions such as Say No to Racism."
The Swiss added: "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."
Blatter's initial comments provoked immediate reaction, with England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand tweeting: "Tell me I have just read Sepp Blatter's comments on racism in football wrong....if not then I am astonished."
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 presenter, former Tottenham Hotspur striker Garth Crooks was equally critical of Blatter's remarks. "Clearly Sepp Blatter is a man who's never suffered from racism," he said. "I'm shocked and somewhat dismayed. "Football has to be very careful. It's the one industry that somehow sees itself as above the law. It's not. "Players, however glorified, are employees and have to abide by the law. Sepp is a man out of time and out of touch."
Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor added: "It's ironic that Sepp Blatter should come out and talk like that because we've worked hard to get Fifa to have anti-racism on the agenda.
"As the president of Fifa, he's got to be shouting from the top of the hills that it's unacceptable on the pitch. We want players to set an example to the rest of the world and particularly the supporters."
Analysis
This is one of Sepp Blatter's worst gaffes, without a doubt. On the day that Blatter says there is no racism in football, the FA has charged Luis Suarez with just that. The FA is taking a tough stance on racism and this could lead to a lengthy ban, potentially. If someone is found guilty of racial abuse the FA will, I'm sure, throw the book at them.
Piara Powar, the executive director of the Football Against Racism in Europe network, was also dismayed with Blatter's comments. "You just don't expect the world leader of football to be coming out with comments that seem ill thought-out, insensitive and don't set out the sort of perspective you want to hear from someone who should be leading the game and not responding in a reactionary way," he said.
"To simply say that something as serious as racial abuse between players can be settled with a handshake is incorrect and not the sort of thing that footballers at an amateur level, at a pro level - at any level - will want to hear from football's leader."
The remarks from the Fifa president, who has led football's world governing body since 1998 and was re-elected this year, come on the same day as Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was charged by the FA for alleged racist comments towards Manchester United's Patrice Evra.
The accusation is denied by the Uruguayan and his club say he will plead not guilty to the FA charge.
England and Chelsea captain John Terry is also facing police and FA investigations following allegations that he used a racist slur towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in a match at Loftus Road in October.
(Cant post link, on the BBCSport website though)
***
Just incredible. FIFA despite their posturing over the years yet again choose to sweep a major issue under the carpet. How he can say things are basically in the battle and intensity of the game, this is a pathetic excuse can surely be used by racist 'fans' aswell.
The Football Association is probing two cases of alleged racism in England.
"There is no racism [on the field], but maybe there is a word or gesture that is not correct," Blatter told CNN. "The one affected by this should say 'this is a game' and shake hands."
The 75-year-old later said his comments had been misunderstood.
"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," Blatter said in a statement. "I have been personally leading this battle against racism in football, which Fifa has been fighting against throughout the past years through campaigns in all of our competitions such as Say No to Racism."
The Swiss added: "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."
Blatter's initial comments provoked immediate reaction, with England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand tweeting: "Tell me I have just read Sepp Blatter's comments on racism in football wrong....if not then I am astonished."
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 presenter, former Tottenham Hotspur striker Garth Crooks was equally critical of Blatter's remarks. "Clearly Sepp Blatter is a man who's never suffered from racism," he said. "I'm shocked and somewhat dismayed. "Football has to be very careful. It's the one industry that somehow sees itself as above the law. It's not. "Players, however glorified, are employees and have to abide by the law. Sepp is a man out of time and out of touch."
Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor added: "It's ironic that Sepp Blatter should come out and talk like that because we've worked hard to get Fifa to have anti-racism on the agenda.
"As the president of Fifa, he's got to be shouting from the top of the hills that it's unacceptable on the pitch. We want players to set an example to the rest of the world and particularly the supporters."
Analysis
This is one of Sepp Blatter's worst gaffes, without a doubt. On the day that Blatter says there is no racism in football, the FA has charged Luis Suarez with just that. The FA is taking a tough stance on racism and this could lead to a lengthy ban, potentially. If someone is found guilty of racial abuse the FA will, I'm sure, throw the book at them.
Piara Powar, the executive director of the Football Against Racism in Europe network, was also dismayed with Blatter's comments. "You just don't expect the world leader of football to be coming out with comments that seem ill thought-out, insensitive and don't set out the sort of perspective you want to hear from someone who should be leading the game and not responding in a reactionary way," he said.
"To simply say that something as serious as racial abuse between players can be settled with a handshake is incorrect and not the sort of thing that footballers at an amateur level, at a pro level - at any level - will want to hear from football's leader."
The remarks from the Fifa president, who has led football's world governing body since 1998 and was re-elected this year, come on the same day as Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was charged by the FA for alleged racist comments towards Manchester United's Patrice Evra.
The accusation is denied by the Uruguayan and his club say he will plead not guilty to the FA charge.
England and Chelsea captain John Terry is also facing police and FA investigations following allegations that he used a racist slur towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand in a match at Loftus Road in October.
(Cant post link, on the BBCSport website though)
***
Just incredible. FIFA despite their posturing over the years yet again choose to sweep a major issue under the carpet. How he can say things are basically in the battle and intensity of the game, this is a pathetic excuse can surely be used by racist 'fans' aswell.