• FIFA

Anti-racism boss wants Blatter to lead campaign

Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
November 25, 2011
Sepp Blatter suggested racism on the field of play should be settled with a post-match handshake © Getty Images
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Lord Herman Ouseley plans urgent talks with FIFA president Sepp Blatter to ask him to join English football's 'Kick It Out' anti-racism campaign and spread the message of zero tolerance to discrimination globally.

ESPNsoccernet can reveal that Lord Ouseley contacted FIFA this week to set up talks with Blatter to implore that the FIFA president leads a new fight against bigotry in football. Rather than call for Blatter's resignation or condemn him, as he has been universally for his crass comments on racism in football, Lord Ouseley wants the FIFA chief to use his considerable power and influence to send out the right messages.

Lord Ouseley, the most influential and respected anti-racism campaigner in English football, told ESPNsoccernet: "I am hoping to contact Sepp Blatter to ask him to put the power of FIFA behind the Kick It Out campaign, for FIFA to back it and for their president to back it and spread the world globally.

"Whatever he might have said, in whatever context, he has apologised and he was never going to resign. So rather than all the negatives that have come from this, we are seeking to find some positives, and I would hope that Sepp Blatter will respond to that request."

Lord Ouseley returned from a week abroad to find that there is still no decision on John Terry's race row, although the FA have charged Luis Suarez. And Lord Ouseley feels it is imperative for the president of FIFA to emerge with positive statements in the fight against racism in football and sport as soon as possible.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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