FIFA president Sepp Blatter apologized on Friday for his “unfortunate comments” on racism in the game, but rejected calls to resign as head of world soccer’s governing body.
“It hurts and I am still hurting because I couldn’t envisage such a reaction,” Blatter told the BBC in an interview, admitting that he had used “unfortunate words,” which he “deeply regretted.”
“When you have done something which was not totally correct, I can only say I am sorry for all those people affected by my declarations,” he said.
However, when asked about calls from a British minister and others that he should quit for his remarks suggesting that disputes on the pitch involving racist abuse should be resolved by a handshake, he refused.
“I cannot resign. Why should I?” he told the BBC. “When you are faced with a problem you have to face the problem. To leave would be totally unfair and not compatible with my fighting spirit, my character, my energy.”
However, Blatter saidt he had a “zero tolerance” attitude toward racism in the game and that any players found guilty of it on the pitch should be thrown out of the game.
British Prime Minister David Cameron called the comments “appalling” and British Sports Minister Hugh Robertson and the head of England’s Professional Footballers’ Association, Gordon Taylor, said Blatter should quit.
Blatter’s initial comments came after Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez was charged by the English Football Association for allegedly racially abusing Manchester United’s French international defender Patrice Evra.
England captain John Terry is also facing a police and FA investigation over allegations he hurled racist abuse at Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.
Blatter’s remarks have sparked a storm in England, where he was already unpopular for the way in which he and FIFA dealt with the country’s failed bid to stage the 2018 World Cup.
Players also criticized him, with former England captain David Beckham adding to the condemnation on Thursday, although he stopped short of calling for Blatter to resign.
However, Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson welcomed Blatter’s apology, saying: “I think Sepp Blatter has apologized and that’s fine. I think that’s appropriate.”
However, there was further criticism from black South African FIFA committee member and anti-apartheid activist Tokyo Sexwale, whom FIFA pictured hugging Blatter after the initial storm broke on Thursday.
“It was rather unfortunate of Blatter to utter such statements. We have had countless cases of racial slurs being spewed by players on the field of play,” said Sexwale, who sits on the soccer governing body’s anti-racism committee. “You can’t mitigate racist slurs with a handshake. No handshake can repair this damage. Such statements are damaging. Its consequences cannot be known.”
However, he insisted that he did not believe Blatter was racist.
“Mr Blatter is well known worldwide as a champion against racism and discrimination,” Sexwale said, crediting Blatter with the decision to give Africa last year’s World Cup.
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