{"id":32404,"date":"2011-11-19T16:42:15","date_gmt":"2011-11-19T16:42:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sierraexpressmedia.com\/?p=32404"},"modified":"2011-11-19T16:42:15","modified_gmt":"2011-11-19T16:42:15","slug":"blatter-the-blubber-bleats-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sierraexpressmedia.net\/?p=32404","title":{"rendered":"Blatter the blubber bleats again"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sepp Blatter, the President of FIFA, the World governing body has put his foot in it again; this time telling CNN in an interview that \u201c there is no racism (on the field), but maybe there is a word or gesture that is not correct\u201d.\u00a0 He should have been putting a sock in it. \u00a0If that comment had been made by any politician or someone in any other walk of life, he\/she would be walking with a new job description in his hand. \u00a0For Blatter to ignore an irrefutable fact that racists have seen and used football as a convenient medium to vent their ill held beliefs is beyond belief. \u00a0To think that football has always been and continues to be plagued by this cankerworm, whenever it rears its ugly head, is being denied by the high priest of the football congregation is difficult to fathom. \u00a0Blatter claims that the antidote to racism is a handshake, phew. \u00a0(Photo: Abdulai Mansaray, author)<\/em><\/p>\n

Following the breakdown of relationship between the English Football Association and FIFA, after the former lost out on hosting the 2018 World Cup, a series of investigations into bribery and corruption in the FIFA politic was initiated, resulting in high profile casualties along the way. \u00a0Blatter promised \u201cto cleanup\u201d the organisation and proclaimed that he was the best man suited to oversee this cleanup operation. \u00a0Last week, FIFA was also embroiled in a tittles tattle with the English FA again on whether to wear a poppy on the recent friendly matches involving British teams. That was later resolved with a poppy of love.<\/p>\n

Blatter\u2019s comments could not have come at a worse time; when the English FA is snowed down with series of high profile allegations of racism among Premier League footballers. As if that was not enough, he made his comments on the same day as the English FA were reading the riot act to and charging Luis Suarez of Liverpool football club with allegation of \u201cusing abusive and\/or insulting words towards Manchester United\u2019s Patrice Evra contrary to FA rules. \u00a0The FA statement further said\u201d it is alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and \/or colour and\/or race of Patrice Evra\u201d.<\/p>\n

Blatter believes that if you are victim of racism on the football pitch, \u201cthe one (victim) affected by this should say this is a game and shake hands\u201d; the first commandment on racism according to Saint Blatter. \u00a0As expected, his comments have generated a lot of condemnation from politicians, footballers and many other stakeholders, especially from those organisations like \u201cKick Racism Out\u201d of football; who have made it a life\u2019s vocation to rid the game of this ugly phenomenon. \u00a0Blatter has conveniently succeeded in undermining all their hard work with one moment of verbal diarrhoea. \u00a0Reducing the resolution of racism to a simple handshake is not only condescending but utterly stupid.<\/p>\n

There are certain aspects of football or any other sport that can be resolved with a handshake, a smile or even a wink but racism is not one of them. \u00a0Like Fifpro (worldwide representative organisation for all professional footballers) said in a statement \u201cthere is a bottom line which should not be crossed. \u00a0There are things that you cannot just solve by shaking hands after the end of a match, as Mr. Blatter suggests\u201d. Worryingly, UEFA is organising the European Championship in 6 months\u2019 time. You would think that it will use this opportunity to reiterate its stance against racism, but it is their silence on the matter that has been deafening. No surprises there.<\/p>\n

Some people have blamed Blatter\u2019s comments on senility and being out of touch. If that is the case, such symptom of senility appears to be selective; which may require some dose of \u00a0Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). The British Prime Minister described his outburst as \u201cappalling\u201d and Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United, whose brother is incidentally involved in another alleged racial slur, was involved in some tweeter activity. In any work of life, Blatter would be charged with bringing the game into disrepute, notwithstanding his position as the figure head of the World Football governing body.<\/p>\n

As head of FIFA, you wonder if his comments are representative of the organisation. \u00a0If this is not the case, why has FIFA as an organisation not come out and issued a statement to distance itself from his comments?\u00a0 But the world should not be surprised at such comments for he has shown in the past, a serious penchant to cause controversy. When Qatar won the right to host the 2022 World Cup tournament, his welcome note was to warn homosexuals to refrain from any sexual activities (for 1 month only I should add). \u00a0Last year he rubber stamped John Terry\u2019s alleged affair with his fellow professional\u2019s ex-girlfriend and in the bargain insulted Latin countries by saying\u00a0 that \u201cif this had happened in let\u2019s say Latin\u00a0 countries then I think he (Terry) would have been applauded\u201d. \u00a0 He even suggested women footballers to wear tighter and feminine more shorts for matches; (not sure how many will object here).<\/p>\n

It is unquestionable that Blatter is fast becoming a liability to the game. \u00a0What I am struggling to understand is whether the organisation is owned by him, because to all intents and purposes, he behaves like he owns it with unadulterated impunity.<\/p>\n

With Suarez facing an FA charge for alleged racial remarks, I find the Liverpool stance a bit baffling. \u00a0Following the charge, a club statement said \u201cLuis remains determined to clear his name of the allegation made against him by Patrice Evra. \u00a0The club remain fully supportive of \u00a0Luis in this matter\u201d. \u00a0This is expected of any employer to his employee. \u00a0However, from a PR point of view, you would expect the club to firmly condemn racism first and express their support for their employee second. \u00a0Instead their manager Kenny Dalglish said that he \u201cdoes not think racism is prevalent at the club\u201d; \u00a0(prevalent the operative word). \u00a0I am yet to read a statement that actually condemns racism by the club. \u00a0These are the kind of mixed messages that you find nauseating; condemning racism on the one hand and in the same breath denying its prevalence in another. \u00a0You would naturally expect a club to stand by their man in such a case but such blind loyalty, without condemning the idea of racism smacks of a PR disaster.<\/p>\n

Since the uproar Blatter has been making desperate attempts to go on the charm offensive to retract or play down the effect of his rant. \u00a0In one such attempt, he posts a picture of him in a bear hug\u00a0 with South Africa\u2019s black football chief Tokyo Sexwale; as if to say \u201c hey look at me, I can even hug a black person\u201d. \u00a0What does Blatter take us for, plebeians?\u00a0 Is that his measurement of people\u2019s mentality? This is further proof of his lack of guile and tendency to be condescending. Next he will be telling us that his remarks were not racial; because he has a 50- inch coloured plasma TV.<\/p>\n

Blatter is credited with playing a vital role in bringing the world cup to Africa for the first time last year; give him his due. He has also ensured under his leadership that other lesser nations like Qatar enjoy their right as part of the football family to host the tournament (did I hear you say with the help of brown envelops? No). \u00a0Had it not been for his drive, the nearest such countries would come to the tournament would be six feet from the TV.\u00a0 Although racism is the greatest threat to mankind; the maximum of hatred for a minimum reason, excellence is the best deterrent. \u00a0Accomplishments have no colour. \u00a0That is why racists pay through their noses to go and watch someone they hate. \u201cThe legendary Rosa Parks once said \u201cracism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome\u201d. \u00a0That was in 1955, this is 2011; still waiting. \u00a0Some people just find it hard to accept that the world is colourful.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget the lights-please turn them off.<\/p>\n

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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