SAFA: Blatter is not a racist
SAFA have come to the defence of FIFA president Sepp Blatter regarding his controversial comments on racism in football.
The 75-year-old came under fire last week after saying incidents of racial discrimination between players on the pitch could be settled with a handshake at the end of the match.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was just one of many high-profile names to take offence at Blatter's comments.
Blatter insists he was misunderstood but later apologised "to everyone who was offended" by his comments.
SAFA issued a statement at the weekend in support of the Swiss.
It reads:
'The remarks by FIFA President, Mr. Joseph 'Sepp' Blatter regarding racism in football has received extensive publicity.
As the South African Football Association (SAFA), we would like to indicate that Mr. Blatter's initial comments were unfortunate in the sense that it sent a wrong signal about the international controlling soccer body's intention to wipe out racism from football and the face of the earth.
Our history with Mr. Blatter as SAFA goes a very long way. We know him as a person who has always been upfront on confronting and condemning any form of racism and discrimination. His statement in Palestine recently clearly demonstrated his commitment to this cause.
It is unfortunate that this matter was blown out of proportion as FIFA statutes are very clear on this matter of zero tolerance to any form of racism and discrimination. His lone voice insisting on South Africa hosting the first ever World Cup in 100 years on African soil, is further testimony of Mr. Blatter being a champion of anti-racism and discrimination.
Mr. Blatter has traversed the globe preaching and discouraging any form of racism.
Back home, we all know Mr. Blatter's stance on racism as articulated by the honourable Minister of Housing and Human Settlements, Mr. Tokyo Sexwale. We at no time doubted Mr. Blatter stance on this issue, hence we view the latest statements as being unfortunate, regrettable and out of sync with what he stood for all his life as a servant of this beautiful game.
From our past experience, in which an individual was discriminated on the colour of his skin, racism is a very sensitive issue and we view any form of racial discrimination with utter disdain. Racism has no place in modern society. Racism is a social ill which must be fought by forward thinking society.
To his credit, Mr. Blatter issued a statement apologising unreservedly on this unfortunate statement. We as SAFA have accepted his apology.
However, having apologised for his proclamation, we hope the world will move on and forgive him. He has indeed owned up and retracted his statement and this to us shows great humility on his part as a leader of the number one sport in the universe.'
Link: http://www.football365.co.za/story/0,22162,14340_7322265,00.html
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SAFA (South Africa Football Association) defended Blatter recent unbecoming remarks over racism. I remember watching movie 'Invictus' where Springbok won Rugby World Cup years back after Apartheid. If not mistaken there were only one black player and rest consisted of European's white. There were understanding amongst Mandela administration to proceed without having enough black players representing South Africa, but recent Football World Cup where South Africa became as host took a u-turn where whites seemingly not welcomed in their first squad. Such frailty in Blatter's circle of symphatizers.
If memory serves me only. No research has been done here, maybe you guys have better input or you may choose to ignore these, stop stalking me with your stupid portraying and get on with your own life.
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