Fresh calls for Blatter to resign after racism blunder as Suarez is finally charged

By Matt Lawton and Ian Ladyman
Last updated at 11:44 PM on 16th November 2011

Sepp Blatter was facing renewed calls for his resignation on Wednesday night after dismissing on-pitch racism - just as the FA charged Luis Suarez over allegations he racially abused Patrice Evra.
In a statement the FA said Liverpool's Suarez had been charged for allegedly making 'a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra'.
Charged: It is claimed Suarez racially abused Evra last month
Charged: It is claimed Suarez racially abused Evra last month
At the same time, England captain John Terry remains the subject of an FA inquiry and a formal Metropolitan Police investigation into claims that he racially abused Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road last month.
But when FIFA president Blatter was asked for his view on the issue in a series of interviews, he gave an astonishing response.
Under fire: Suarez has strenuously denied the claims
Under fire: Suarez has strenuously denied the claims
Asked directly by a CNN reporter if racism exists on the pitch, Blatter denied it and said such incidents should simply be settled by a handshake at the end of the match.
'I would deny it,' he said. 'There is no racism, there is maybe one of the players towards another, he has a word or a gesture which is not the correct one, but also the one who is affected by that, he should say that this is a game.
Eye of the storm: Sepp Blatter embraces FIFA member Tokyo Sexwhale
Eye of the storm: Sepp Blatter embraces FIFA member Tokyo Sexwhale
'We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands, and this can happen. On the field of play sometimes you say something that is not very correct, but then at the end of the game you have the next game where you can behave better.'
To a reporter from Al-Jazeera he simply compounded the situation.
'During a match you may say something to somebody who is not exactly looking like you,' he said. 'But at the end... it's forgotten.'
Blatter first tried to repair the damage on his official Twitter page, without much success.
Centre of attention: England captain Terry has been accused of aiming racially abusive language at Ferdinand
Centre of attention: England captain Terry has been accused of aiming racially abusive language at Ferdinand
After that FIFA released an official statement on their website. Blatter, alongside a picture of him embracing a black man, claimed his comments had been 'misunderstood'.
His statement said: 'I would like to make it very clear, I am committed to the fight against racism and any type of discrimination in football and in society. I also know that racism unfortunately continues to exist in football, and I have never denied this... my comments have been misunderstood.'

ASTONISHED RIO'S TWEET FURY


Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand (right), who is awaiting the outcome of allegations of racist comments made against his brother Anton by John Terry, was quick to condemn Sepp Blatter's comments on Twitter...
'Tell me I have just read Sepp Blatter's comments on racism in football wrong... if not then I am astonished.'
'I feel stupid for thinking that football was taking a leading role against racism... it seems it was just on mute for a while.'
'Just for clarity if a player abuses a referee, does a shake of the hand after the game wipe the slate clean??'

Last night, the latest storm to engulf FIFA's president was being digested by Sports Minister Hugh Robertson and the FA.
But there was condemnation from Football Against Racism In Europe, who described Blatter's comments as 'insensitive and not what you want to hear from someone who should be leading the game'.
PFA chief Gordon Taylor condemned Blatter's comments, saying: 'It's very insensitive and inappropriate at this time. As the president of FIFA he's got to be shouting from the top of the hills that it's unacceptable.'
Rio Ferdinand, the former England captain and brother of Anton, was one of several footballers to express his considerable dismay on his Twitter page.
Investigation: Terry is awaiting his outcome
Investigation: Terry is awaiting his outcome
This all came on the day the FA finally charged Suarez after a month of investigations relating to the events that allegedly took place at Anfield on October 15.
Manchester United's Evra claimed, after the 1-1 draw between the two great North West rivals, that Suarez called him a 'n****r' at least 10 times, a claim that is believed to have been backed up by some of the Frenchman's team-mates during the exhaustive interviews that followed.
Suarez himself broke cover earlier this month, claiming that the word he used was similar to that used by United players when referring to Evra.
There was also a suggestion that he may have used the word 'negrito', a term that is not considered offensive in his native South America.
A Liverpool club statement said: 'We will discuss the matter fully with him but he will plead not guilty and we expect him to request a personal hearing. Luis remains determined to clear his name.'

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I predict this. Suarez charged and made an example of. Terry warned of future conduct. Pa-freaking-thetic
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I have got a feeling that Blatter is on his way out. But who will succeed him? The race could be between 3 horses which are Tony blair, Silvio Berlusconi and Carlo Ancelotti.
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mr gill at the fa greasing a few palms me thinks as there is very little if any evidence against suarez.
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