Sepp Makes Himself Look Stupid - Again!

So for the second week in row this column is having to concern itself with FIFA, but this week, not just FIFA but one gloriously stupid man.

Sepp Blatter, as you will know by now, has made some pretty stupid remarks about racism in football.

In case you don’t know what was said, this is what Sepp told CNN this week: "There is no racism [on the field], but maybe there is a word or gesture that is not correct.” And if that wasn’t bad enough he then followed it up with this. “The one affected by this should say this is a game and shake hands.”

Ridiculous, lets be honest. The idea that people should settle racist abuse with a handshake is laughable at best and downright offensive at worst.

Blatter backtracked, of course and he then said via the FIFA website (you assume after a Press Officer got involved)"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,"

But really, isn’t that just lip service? Is Blatter and therefore, are FIFA really, truly committed to getting rid of racism from the game? And if they aren’t then, tell me who on earth is going to take the lead.

Such comments undermine and undervalue the sterling and brilliant work done by organisations such as Kick It Out in the UK who have tirelessly made sure that racism has been all but eradicated in the game on these shores.

Happily there has been no shortage of football and political figures lining up to condemn FIFA. The calls for his dismissal in this country have been led by Sports Minister Hugh Robertson and Rio Ferdinand, who told the 75-year old on Twitter:  "Your comments on racism are so condescending it's almost laughable. If fans shout racist chants but shake our hands is that OK?"

Blatter, will sadly, find a way to navigate his way this latest crisis with his job intact – just like he always does. He has said he is “sorry that his comments caused an unfortunate situation, but I do not see why I should resign.”

Lest we forget, Sepp has had plenty of practice in upsetting people. He has called for women to wear tighter shorts to make the womens game more exciting, he has belittled the problems faced by homosexual people in Qatar, he claimed John Terry would be “applauded in other countries” for his affairs and compared the life of Cristiano Ronaldo to that of a “slave” after Manchester United wouldn’t sell him to Real Madrid. – And that’s just in the last few yeas, and before we even get to the allegations of corruption that continue to dog him and FIFA’s top brass.

Is it any wonder that on his watch football has descended at world level to the point where it now resembles a circus. In fact, we could send in the clowns, but you suspect they are already there.