Source: Daily_Mail
Sepp Blatter racism comments: Rio Ferdinand calls FIFA president 'laughable'
England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says he is astonished at bizarre claims made by FIFA president Sepp Blatter that racism should be solved by a handshake on the pitch. [LNB]On a day when the Football Association 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 television interviews Blatter said racism on the field of play is not a problem.[LNB] His suggested solution provoked Ferdinand in action 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.[LNB]'I feel stupid for thinking that football was taking a leading role against racism.....it seems it was just on mute for a while.[LNB] Livid: Ferdinand[LNB]'Just for clarity if a player abuses a referee, does a shake of the hand after the game wipe the slate clean??'[LNB]Ferdinand continued to express his digust at Blatter's comments and directly contacted the FIFA president's Twitter page, writing: '@SeppBlatter your comments on racism are so condescending its almost laughable. If fans shout racist chants but shake our hands is that ok?'[LNB]In an interview with CNN World Sport, when asked if there was racism on the pitch, Blatter 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.[LNB]'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.[LNB] Eye of the storm: Sepp Blatter embraces FIFA member Tokyo Sexwhale[LNB]'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.'[LNB]He also said on Al Jazeera: 'During a match you may say something to someone who's not looking exactly like you, but at end of match it's forgotten.'[LNB]Players chief Gordon Taylor told BBC Radio Five Live: '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.[LNB]'It's very insensitive and inappropriate at this time. When 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.'[LNB] Statement: Blatter[LNB]Blatter released a statement on www.fifa.com to clarify his stance on fighting racism, claiming his comments had been misunderstood.[LNB]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.[LNB]'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 the 'Say no to racism' campaign.[LNB]'I also know that racism unfortunately continues to exist in football, and I have never denied this. I know that it is a big problem in society, and that it also affects sport.[LNB]'I strongly believe that we should continue to fight all together against racism on and off the field of play, in order to eradicate this plague.[LNB]'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.[LNB]'Anyone who has played a football match, or a match in any sport, knows that this is the case.[LNB]'Having said that, I want to stress again that I do not want to diminish the dimension of the problem of racism in society and in sport. I am committed to fighting this plague and kicking it out of football.'[LNB] Racism? It can all be forgotten in a handshake, says Blatter (the head of world football)Suarez charged! FA take action as striker prepares to plead not guilty in Evra race row[LNB]
