Man Utd ace Ferdinand takes on FIFA prez Blatter for his 'laughable' take on racism
Man Utd ace Ferdinand takes on FIFA prez Blatter for his 'laughable' take on racism
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Under-fire FIFA president Sepp Blatter embroiled himself in a Twitter war-of-words with Rio Ferdinand yesterday over his comments about racism.
Manchester United ace Rio Ferdinand.
The Manchester United defender had condemned Blatter's remark that racism on the pitch was not a problem and that racist abuse between players should be settled by a handshake.The comments stirred up a storm which has led to calls for Blatter to resign.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Pics/Getty Images
Ferdinand contacted Blatter's Twitter account directly, writing: "@SeppBlatter your comments on racism are so condescending its almost laughable. If fans shout racist chants but shake our hands is that ok?"
The England player also criticised FIFA's attempts to clarify Blatter's comments with a statement on their website underneath a picture of Blatter with South African minister Tokyo Sexwale, who was imprisoned on Robben Island during the apartheid era.
Ferdinand wrote: "Fifa clear up the blatter comments with a pic of him posing with a black man..I need the hand covering eyes symbol!!"
Blatter was stung into a response today and replied directly to Ferdinand saying: "The 'black man' as you call him has a name: Tokyo Sexwale. He has done tremendous work against racism and apartheid in Africa.
"We have done several joint activities to raise awareness on the struggle against racism in South Africa.u00a0 "FIFA has a long standing and proud record in the area of anti-discrimination which will continue."u00a0
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