Source: Daily_Mail
David Cameron blasts FIFA chief Sepp Blatter over race storm
The Government led calls for Sepp Blatter to resign as one of FIFA's leading backers said they are reviewing their sponsorship over the president's comments about racism.[LNB] On a day when Prime Minister David Cameron condemned Blatter and Minister for Sport Hugh Robertson called for him to stand down, claiming that 'for the sake of the game he shouldgo', the airline Emirates told Sportsmail they may not renew their ?122million deal when it expires in 2014.[LNB] War of words: Rio Ferdinand and Sepp Blatter[LNB] Emirates are one of FIFA's six official partners and are concerned their brand has been damaged by Blatter's remarks and the widespread outrage and offence he has caused.[LNB] Blatter dismissed racism as a problem on the football field, arguing that any such incident should be settled with a handshake at the end of the game.[LNB] He compounded the situation by comparing racist abuse to foul play. 'It's foul language, it's foul play,' he said. An Emirates spokesman said yesterday:[LNB] Eye of the storm: Blatter with Tokyo Sexwale in South Africa in 2009 [LNB]WHO IS SEPP HUGGING? Blatter's friend is Mosima Gabriel Sexwale, known as Tokyo Sexwale, after Japan's capital city, because of his love of martial arts. [LNB]Why does he hang out with the FIFA president? [LNB]Sexwale is the Minister of Human Settlements in South Africa and worked with FIFA on projects to highlight the battle against racism and apartheid. [LNB]How come he does that? [LNB]He went into self-imposed exile to the Soviet Union to fight apartheid but was charged with conspiracy to overthrow the government when he returned in 1976. He was sentenced to 18 years on Robben Island, where he met his wife. He was released in 1990 and served under Nelson Mandela as the premier of Gauteng province. [LNB]Anything else? [LNB]He owns Mvelaphanda Holdings, the world's third biggest diamond company, and hosted South Africa's version of The Apprentice. [LNB]'Emirates continues to closely watch developments within FIFA ahead of discussions on the extension of our partnership beyond 2014. However, we have no role in the management of the organisation.'[LNB]The Dubai-based airline have expressed concern about their relationship with FIFA in the wake of the cash-for-votes scandal. Boutros Boutros, the Emirates vice-president, said: 'We are seriously thinking about not renewing our partnership with FIFA beyond 2014. We don't get into politics but we believe the situation with FIFA went beyond an internal problem and became much bigger.'[LNB] At this stage FIFA's five other partners - adidas, Hyundai, Coca- Cola, Visa and Sony - have chosen not to condemn Blatter's comments, even though they were invited to by Sportsmail.[LNB] They did make their stance against racism clear.[LNB]But it could be the fear of losing major sponsors that threatens Blatter's position more than the criticismhe continued to receive yesterday, even though it came from some hugelyinfluential figures in football. Most staggering was the Twitter exchange with Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand.[LNB]His younger brother Anton is at the centre of the John Terry race inquiry and Ferdinand attacked Blatter on Wednesday night for posting a picture alongside a statement on the FIFA website of himself with a black football official and South African politician.[LNB] Action man: Prime Minister David Cameron took time out from meeting Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button at the McLaren factory in Woking to condemn Blatter[LNB] [LNB]In an unprecedented move by Blatter, he responded directly to Ferdinand. 'The "black man" as you call him has a name: Tokyo Sexwale. He has done tremendous work against racism and apartheid in Africa.'[LNB]Ferdinand tweeted back: 'To say what you said about racism in football spoke volumes of your ignorance to the subject.'[LNB]Having suddenly found himself a pawn in the race storm, Sexwale has called a press conference in Johannesburg on Thursday.[LNB]TWITTER SPAT Sepp Blatter [LNB]rioferdy5 The 'black man' as you call him has a name: Tokyo Sexwale. He has done tremendous work against racism and apartheid in Africa ...[LNB] We have done several joint activities to raise awareness on the struggle against racism in South Africa ...[LNB] FIFA has a long standing and proud record in the area of anti-discrimination which will continue ...[LNB]Blatter's total followers 191,681 [LNB]Rio Ferdinand[LNB]SeppBlatter to say what you said about racism in football spoke volumes of your ignorance to the subject ...[LNB] I guess you now have the full support of all the women, gay community + people against racism in football ...[LNB] 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 ... [LNB]Rio's total followers 1,643,977[LNB] [LNB] In the meantime, the pressure was coming from Westminster. In a statement Mr Cameron said: 'It's appalling to suggest that racism in any way should be accepted as part of the game. A lot of work has gone into ridding racism from all aspects of our society, including football. As many of our top sports stars have rightly pointed out, now is not the time for complacency.'[LNB] Mr Robertson echoed the sentiment. 'Sepp Blatter's comments are completely unacceptable,' he said. 'This is the latest episode that calls into question whether this man should be the head of world football. For the sake of the game, he should go.'[LNB] While the Premier League and the FA reiterated their stance against racism, there was no direct attack on Blatter.[LNB] But Ferdinand was joined by a number of Premier League managers in criticising Blatter. Tony Pulis, Martin Jol and Mick McCarthy were united in their feelings, with McCarthy calling the FIFA chief 's comments 'outrageous'.[LNB] PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor says Blatter's remarks were 'the straw which broke the camel's back' and that he should step aside for UEFA president Michel Platini.[LNB] Britain's FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce said he had been surprised by the comments but stressed both FIFA and UEFA had done much to combat racism in football. Boyce said: 'I was very surprised to hear the president's remarks but have been pleased that both he and FIFA have come out to try and clarify the situation.' [LNB] Blatter issues bumbling defence amid racism storm as Ferdinand leads backlash against 'ignorant' FIFA chiefTokyo Sexwale... The man at the centre of football's racism stormYou're ignorant! Ferdinand leads Blatter backlash as football's top man is told to pack bags amid racist storm[LNB] [LNB]
