FIFA President Sepp Blatter has refused to back Kevin-Prince Boateng’s stance against racism.
The AC Milan star received praise from players around the globe after walking leading his team-mates off the pitch during a friendly with Pro Patria when he was subjected to racist abuse from the home supporters.
FIFA and UEFA have been criticised in the past for paying lip service to racist issues with Blatter hedging his bets over whether to back Boateng or not.
Asked about players walking off the FIFA President told The National newspaper in UAE: “Walk off? No, I don’t think that is the solution but the Italian federation have yet to provide us with the report detailing what happened.
“I don’t think that you can run away, because eventually you can run away if you lose a match.
“This is a very touchy subject, but I repeat there is zero tolerance of racism in the stadium. We have to go against that.
“The only solution is to be very harsh with the sanctions, which must be a deduction of points or something similar.
“We have no tolerance in racism- absolutely no tolerance. This action is an example the spectators must behave well because, as I understand it, the player ran away and the others went with him. They cannot go on abusing afterwards.”
Piara Powar, the executive director of the Fare network, which aims to rid football of racism, responded to Blatter’s comments saying: “We disagree entirely with the idea that Kevin-Prince Boateng ran away from the Milan match in which he was subjected to racial abuse. It’s a nonsensical suggestion.
“What does Sepp Blatter know about what it is to be abused or excluded because you are an ethic minority, and what might be the right or wrong way to respond?”
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I think, in this case, Boateng was 100% right to walk off, and hence highlight the behaviour of the half wits that were abusing him. What better time to do it than during a friendly?
It’s no surprise though to hear Blatter giving his usual weak, mealy-mouthed response, watching his own back, rather than taking any decisive action: typical football administrator.
When you pay lip service to a issue like racism, don’t be surprised when the players take the situation into their own hands.
The sooner Sepp Blatter is gone the better he’s just an apologist for racists.
It was about time this happened. Though I’ll be more impressed when a player walks off when his supporters racially abuse a player on the opposing team or when they walk off during an important league or cup game because of it.
How’s is this guy still in a job? Stupid comment after stupid comment!