Blatter Apologises For Remarks

The president of Fifa has apologised for his comments on Wednesday when he dismissed racist remarks during a football match.

Calls for the Sepp Blatter to resign from his prestigious post erupted in recent days after the Fifa chief said racist exchanges should be settled with a "hand shake".

However, on Friday, the 75-year-old said he "couldn't envisage such a reaction."

"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 told the BBC.

Blatter said his "fight against racism and discrimination will go on" and said he would not resign despite calls for him to quit.

On Thirsday, Clive Efford, Labour's Shadow Sport Minister, said the controversial President, Sepp Blatter, should stand down over the comments.

On Wednesday, Blatter told Al Jazerra: "During a match you may say something to someone who's not looking exactly like you, but at end of match it's forgotten."

The Labour MP described the comments as "despicable" and called for the Fifa chief to step down.

“Sepp Blatter’s comments are utterly unacceptable and totally outrageous, and they show how he is deeply rooted in a bygone era.

"Football in Great Britain has made fantastic progress to show racism the red card, but this excellent work is undermined when the President of football’s international governing body makes such despicable comments - he should resign."

Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor also demanded that Sepp Blatter resign.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: "When you see the corruption they've had at Fifa, I just feel it's the straw that broke the camel's back.

"The comments he made about homosexuals not going to Qatar; it's time to move over for Michel Platini."

(DW)