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Blatter comments on racism 'appalling' - Beckham

David Beckham took exception to Sepp Blatter's Thursday's comments regarding racism in football © PA Photos

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• Profile: David Beckham

David Beckham has offered, perhaps, the most significant condemnation yet of Sepp Blatter's comments on racism, labelling the FIFA president's opinions "appalling".

Beckham's voice carries plenty of weight on a global level due to the many ambassadorial roles he has assumed in world football. Indeed, Blatter has on occasion aligned himself to the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star.

However, Blatter's recent interview with CNN, when he claimed "there is no racism on the pitch", has drawn widespread criticism. Former England captain Rio Ferdinand has been just one of many to express their disgust at the FIFA president, but Beckham's comments will further increase the pressure for Blatter to leave his post.

"I think the comments were appalling," the LA Galaxy midfielder said at Thursday's MLS Cup press conference. "I think a lot of people have said that. I don't think the comments were very good for this game."

Referring to Blatter's suggestion that, at the end of the game, all on-field issues should be forgotten with a handshake, Beckham once again took issue.

"It's still there and can't just be swept under the carpet and can't just be sorted out just by handshake," Beckham said. "It's not the way of the world and not the way racism should be treated. It's out there.

"I have no power with who goes and who stays within FIFA and I don't wish to have that. The comments, everyone has had their own opinions and I'm not going to say any more on it. Racism is something that we all want to keep [not only] out of sport, but life in general."

Prime Minister David Cameron has also had his say on Blatter, commenting: "It's appalling to suggest that racism in any way should be accepted as part of the game. A lot of work has gone into ridding racism from all aspects of our society, including football. As many of our top sports stars have rightly pointed out, now is not the time for complacency."

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