Football: Blatter wants players to fight racism

Blatter believes greater sanctions need to be placed on guilty parties if football is to effectively combat racism

LONDON: Fifa President Sepp Blatter has warned players that running away from racism is not the right way to deal with the issue. AC Milan mid-fielder Kevin-Prince Boateng and his teammates walked off the field after he was subjected to abuse during a recent friendly match with Pro Patria. Many players, including Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira, praised Boateng for standing up to the racists but Blatter responded to the incident by insisting players should not leave the pitch. Blatter believes that greater sanctions need to be placed on guilty parties if football is to effectively combat racism. “I think we can never do enough to eradicate all the racism in football,” said Blatter. “I think a radical solution would be deduction of points. Deduction of points would have a better impact on that than any other sanction.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2013.