What will Sepp Blatter do next?!
If it wasn't so tragic, you could almost laugh at the awkward absurdity that has enveloped the football world in the past couple of days. Sepp Blatter, the embarrassing elder statesman of the sport- and still the most powerful man in it, has struck again. FIFA may like to claim that they are the victims of a witch-hunt by a resentful British press, but with friends like Blatter, they have all the enemies they could need.
Many people will have heard of the FIFA president's comments regarding racism, made in two separate interviews, and which came to light this Wednesday. If only diplomatic relations could be settled by the shaking of hands, think of all the wars and conflicts throughout history which could have been ended before they had started! Blatter must believe we live in a naive Utopia where everything can be swept under the carpet.
Alas this is far from reality, FIFA's leading figure has simply notched up another in a long line of clangers. If you look back at his track record there have been comments about women footballers wearing more revealing kits, and last year he jokingly suggested that homosexuals “should refrain from any sexual activities” during the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
With his latest episode he has edged closer to a full house of ignorant comments, it's as if he wondered- “hmmm, sexism-check, homophobia-check, what am I missing? Oh yes something inappropriate about racism issues!”
All of this doesn't even touch upon the large dossier of unanswered questions that remain over the alleged corruption that FIFA is riddled with. Surely this man's position is completely untenable? Sadly, it is more likely that the ageing Swiss will dodge another scandal and maintain the norm. If you think politicians get away with far too much, try the plush surroundings of a FIFA presidency to make yourself impenetrable.
Rather depressingly there has been far from widespread global condemnation of Blatter and his slip-up. Either other footballing associations are in fear of the despot, or campaigns such as Kick it Out have plenty left to negotiate when tackling attitudes towards race around the world. England players being abused on the basis of their skin colour has occurred in Spain and Bulgaria in recent years, and this has demonstrated how less ethnically diverse societies still have a long way to go in eradicating old prejudices.
The former footballer Paul Elliot, in an interview with Thursday's Guardian, spoke about how football mirrors wider society. He makes a very good point, and I have mentioned this in the past in relation to times of economic woe, and this coinciding with a rise in football violence amongst fans (Football Troubles).
Racism had already re-emerged as a prevalent issue in the British game due to Luis Saurez being charged by the FA for racially abusing Patrice Evra, and John Terry being under investigation for similar actions towards Anton Ferdinand. However, on the positive side, society in Britain has moved on in a huge way from the 1970's and 80's. Rather than these incidents and Blatter's comments being accepted, they have been rightly and widely condemned as unacceptable.
Of course, this does not mean that bigoted views no longer exist in grounds around the UK, education is still required to further improve attitudes, as organisations like the BNP are sadly still visible- even if they are a twisted minority.
Football and other sports are still very far from dealing with other areas of discrimination too, such as on the basis of sexuality and religion, but as society becomes more accepting so should this improve. What could help is the bringing in of a younger generation at the top of the FIFA infrastructure, and the resignation of Mr Blatter.
Ultimately, the likes of Kick it Out will face being undermined if the most accountable man in football is allowed to keep making a mockery of a game that is played by and can influence billions of people.
Many people will have heard of the FIFA president's comments regarding racism, made in two separate interviews, and which came to light this Wednesday. If only diplomatic relations could be settled by the shaking of hands, think of all the wars and conflicts throughout history which could have been ended before they had started! Blatter must believe we live in a naive Utopia where everything can be swept under the carpet.
Alas this is far from reality, FIFA's leading figure has simply notched up another in a long line of clangers. If you look back at his track record there have been comments about women footballers wearing more revealing kits, and last year he jokingly suggested that homosexuals “should refrain from any sexual activities” during the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
With his latest episode he has edged closer to a full house of ignorant comments, it's as if he wondered- “hmmm, sexism-check, homophobia-check, what am I missing? Oh yes something inappropriate about racism issues!”
All of this doesn't even touch upon the large dossier of unanswered questions that remain over the alleged corruption that FIFA is riddled with. Surely this man's position is completely untenable? Sadly, it is more likely that the ageing Swiss will dodge another scandal and maintain the norm. If you think politicians get away with far too much, try the plush surroundings of a FIFA presidency to make yourself impenetrable.
Rather depressingly there has been far from widespread global condemnation of Blatter and his slip-up. Either other footballing associations are in fear of the despot, or campaigns such as Kick it Out have plenty left to negotiate when tackling attitudes towards race around the world. England players being abused on the basis of their skin colour has occurred in Spain and Bulgaria in recent years, and this has demonstrated how less ethnically diverse societies still have a long way to go in eradicating old prejudices.
The former footballer Paul Elliot, in an interview with Thursday's Guardian, spoke about how football mirrors wider society. He makes a very good point, and I have mentioned this in the past in relation to times of economic woe, and this coinciding with a rise in football violence amongst fans (Football Troubles).
Racism had already re-emerged as a prevalent issue in the British game due to Luis Saurez being charged by the FA for racially abusing Patrice Evra, and John Terry being under investigation for similar actions towards Anton Ferdinand. However, on the positive side, society in Britain has moved on in a huge way from the 1970's and 80's. Rather than these incidents and Blatter's comments being accepted, they have been rightly and widely condemned as unacceptable.
Of course, this does not mean that bigoted views no longer exist in grounds around the UK, education is still required to further improve attitudes, as organisations like the BNP are sadly still visible- even if they are a twisted minority.
Football and other sports are still very far from dealing with other areas of discrimination too, such as on the basis of sexuality and religion, but as society becomes more accepting so should this improve. What could help is the bringing in of a younger generation at the top of the FIFA infrastructure, and the resignation of Mr Blatter.
Ultimately, the likes of Kick it Out will face being undermined if the most accountable man in football is allowed to keep making a mockery of a game that is played by and can influence billions of people.
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