Sepp Blatter- Racism can all be forgotten in a handshake

Last updated : 16 November 2011 By Daily Mail

The Football Association are currently dealing with two incidents where a player has been accused of racially abusing an opponent - Chelsea's John Terry and Liverpool's Luis Suarez, both of whom deny any wrongdoing, are still waiting for the outcome of FA investigations.

In control: Sepp Blatter runs world football's governing body

Blatter's insistence that there is no racism on the field of play is bound to prove controversial - as well as his suggested solution.

Asked if he thought there was racism on the pitch, the FIFA president told CNN World Sport: '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.

'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.

Row I: Luis Suarez clashed with Patrice Evra

'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.'

Blatter also admitted there are problems over the preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with personal clashes between Brazil president Dilma Rousseff and Ricardo Teixeira, the head of Brazilian football.

Blatter added: 'The World Cup in Brazil must be a great success. There are some problems on different levels. Governmental guarantees... have to pass by decree to the congress or to parliament and this has not yet been done.

'And then there's another problem, it's a personal problem obviously between the president of the country and the president of football.'

Row II: John Terry argues with Anton Ferdinand

?Chelsea striker Sturridge reveals agony over race probe involving own fan Des Kelly: Football simply cannot tolerate a blind spot on racism

Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail