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Blatter apologises, doesn't see why he should resign

ESPN staff
November 18, 2011
Sepp Blatter: "I cannot resign. Why should I?" © Getty Images
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FIFA president Sepp Blatter has apologised for his comments on racism but has stressed he will not resign his post as head of world football's governing body.

Blatter has come under fire for remarks he made in a TV interview on Wednesday, in which the 75-year-old claimed that racism was not a problem in the game and that any race-related abuse on the pitch should be settled by a handshake between the players concerned at the end of a match.

The Swiss official was fiercely criticised - with a host of players including global icon David Beckham publicly denouncing Blatter's comments - and in an interview with the BBC, he has now apologised for any offence caused.

Blatter said: "'When you have done something which was not totally correct, I can only say I am sorry for all those people affected by my declarations."

Blatter was adamant however, that he would not resign over the comments. "I cannot resign,'' he added. "Why should I?''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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