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Blatter supported Africa:Could it be double standards?

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"The first World Cup ever held in Africa opened on Friday June 11, 2010 in a dazzling burst of joy, color and noise—and just a tinge of sadness". It lasted from 11 June to 11 July 2010.

However, prior to the world cup, the bidding process was open only to African countries. This was FIFA's initiative to support Africa(Blacks are usually the target of racist abuse).Sepp Blatter received criticisms for making this decision with the committee to allow Africa be the only continent to bid. The answer was simple-the rest of the world would have never allowed it to be hosted in Africa as it had done since 1930(80 years before 2010).

"Before a jubilant, horn-blowing crowd in Soccer City, the spectacular stadium between Johannesburg and Soweto, hundreds of African dancers in vivid greens, reds and yellows paraded onto the field for the opening ceremony of the monthlong tournament. It was much more a victory for the Africans and a source of inspiration". 

Sepp Blatter's good comments in the past concerning ways and efforts to wipe racism in football, has hit a road block due to his latest comments. In an interview with CNN World Sport, when asked if there was racism on the pitch, he said:
 'I would deny it. 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. We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands, and this can happen, because we have worked so hard against racism and discrimination. I think the whole world is aware of the efforts we are making against racism and discrimination. And, on the field of play sometimes you say something that is not very correct, but then at the end of the game, the game is over and you have the next game where you can behave better'

He might have chosen the wrong words or the wrong way to express himself. We should remember that he has been in the forefront and was only trying to say that Racism is not in football, but rather with individuals. Also that affected people should make it up with the culprit on the pitch after the game. I think this is the only absurd thing, but does not amount to telling him to resign. More so, he has apologized

'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 have been personally leading this battle against racism in football, which FIFA has been fighting against throughout the past years through campaigns in all of our competitions such as the 'Say no to racism' campaign.
'I also know that racism unfortunately continues to exist in football, and I have never denied this. I know that it is a big problem in society, and that it also affects sport.
'I strongly believe that we should continue to fight all together against racism on and off the field of play, in order to eradicate this plague.
'My comments have been misunderstood. What I wanted to express is that, as football players, during a match, you have 'battles' with your opponents, and sometimes things are done which are wrong. But, normally, at the end of the match, you apologise to your opponent if you had a confrontation during the match, you shake hands, and when the game is over, it is over.
'Anyone who has played a football match, or a match in any sport, knows that this is the case.
'Having said that, I want to stress again that I do not want to diminish the dimension '

and should be forgiven. The whole clamour for resignation should be dropped and his apology and explanation accepted for the good of the game and avoid the ensuing divisions except if we have hidden agenda and see this as a golden opportunity to perfect the plan of eviction. If the English FA had been sincere they would be the ones to remove all traces of racism in England(where it is most rampant) along with its society. They are very tricky. They play politics with it and only wanted Blatter's resignation for denying their recent world cup hosting bid.

References:
  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_FIFA_World_Cup
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup
  3. http://www.euractiv.com/sports/first-ever-world-cup-africa-kicks-news-495143
  4. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/193276/first-world-cup-in-africa-opens-with-joy-sadness
  5. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/nov/18/racism-battered-sepp-blatter
  6. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/nov/18/fifa-sepp-blatter-apologises-racism
  7. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2063015/David-Cameron-blasts-FIFA-chief-Sepp-Blatter-race-storm.html


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