Sepp Blatter continues to raise the bar for his critics.
In an interview with CNN World Sport the FIFA president touched on the notion of racism in soccer, saying that not only does racism as a whole not exist in the game, but that any potential moments of racial abuse should be settled with a handshake.
"There is no racism," Blatter said. "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."
Here are some more items from around the soccer world:
EVERTON FANS PLAN PROTEST
Everton fans have had enough of their team not spending money while watching stars leave Goodison Park, and they're not hiding their disapproval.
Fans have planned a protest march ahead of Everton's match with Wolverhampton this weekend to vocalize their anger at the club's failure to spend money on talented players while selling off Mikel Arteta to Arsenal.
In a statement, the Blue Union supporters group said: "The failings of the current board of Everton FC have never been better evidenced for the wider footballing world to see. The further sales of key players during the summer transfer window and subsequent lack of reinvestment have seen manager David Moyes fight bravely to keep an inadequate squad on the parapet of the relegation zone."
BURDISSO EXPECTED TO BE OUT FOR SEASON
AS Roma defender Nicolas Burdisso is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury on international duty.
Burdisso, an Argentine international, was injured in the first half of Tuesday's victory over Colombia. According to reports, the injury will shelve him for the next six or seven months while leaving Roma with a gaping hole in its defense as it challenges to climb the Serie A table.
JOHNSON STAYING WITH CITY
England international winger Adam Johnson has signed a contract extension with Manchester City that will keep him with the club until 2015, according to Sky Sports.
Despite still having two-and-a-half years left on his current deal and not being a full-time starter, Johnson cemented his future at Etihad Stadium for the long haul.
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What do you make of Blatter's remarks? Think Everton's fans have a point? How do you think Burdisso's injury affects Roma's Serie A chances? Think the Johnson deal makes sense for both parties?
Share your thoughts below.
