LONDON: FIFA President Sepp Blatter has described racism in football as “a devil” a year after sparking outrage with controversial remarks that appeared to play down the problem.
The Swiss was widely criticised in Britain last November when in an interview with CNN he denied there was racism in the sport and said any incidents could be settled by a handshake.
Blatter issued a statement clarifying his remarks shortly afterwards following criticism from the likes of former England captain David Beckham and defender Rio Ferdinand.
In an interview with the London Evening Standard, he again underlined his stance on racism, saying a simple handshake was not enough.
“What you can do by a handshake is try to make peace,” Blatter was quoted as saying. You cannot eradicate racism by a handshake. To eradicate this devil is an educational problem.
“The problem is, if the school is not educating, if the family is no longer educating, sport must educate. But sport cannot do everything.”
Racism has been under the spotlight in Britain in the past year with Liverpool’s Uruguay forward Luis Suarez having served an eight-match FA ban for racially abusing Manchester United’s France defender Patrice Evra. Chelsea captain John Terry was given a four-match ban by the FA for racially insulting Queen Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand although he was cleared of racism in the lawcourts in July after the saga had dragged on for a year. Blatter said the whole process had taken too long.
“The John Terry affair should have been handled much quicker,” Blatter said. “Such matters should be dealt with as soon as possible.”
Henry could return for third Arsenal spell, says Wenger
LONDON: Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry could be on his way back to the north London club for another spell on loan from New York Red Bulls in January, according to manager Arsene Wenger.
“He has been practising with us,” Wenger said on the club’s website (www.arsenal.com) yesterday. “Will I sign him again in January? I don’t know. I don’t rule it out. He is sharp.”
Arsenal’s 228-goal record scorer, now 35, returned to the club last January, netting against Leeds United in the FA Cup and grabbing a late winner at Sunderland in the Premier League.
“You know what he gives you. He gives you hope, especially when he comes on. That is the most important thing,” Wenger said. “He is a communicator. An extrovert. Very intelligent. He can only give good advice to players because he was in their position when he arrived here.” AGENCIES
