Sepp Blatter clashes with Rio Ferdinand on Twitter over FIFA racism row

CONTROVERSY: Sepp Blatter

Sepp Blatter has traded blows with Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand on Twitter over the FIFA president's contoversial comments on racism.

In two separate television interviews Blatter said racism on the pitch was not a problem and that racist abuse between players should be settled by a handshake. The 75-year-old later claimed he had been misunderstood but he had already provoked a furious backlash.

Ferdinand contacted Blatter's Twitter account directly, writing: "@SeppBlatter your comments on racism are so condescending its almost laughable. If fans shout racist chants but shake our hands is that ok?"

Ferdinand also wrote: "Fifa clear up the blatter comments with a pic of him posing with a black man..I need the hand covering eyes symbol!!"

But Blatterresponded: "@rioferdy5 The black man as you call him has a name: Tokyo Sexwale. He has done tremendous work against racism and apartheid in Africa..."

Blatter's comments came on the same day that the Football Association charged Liverpool forward Luis Suarez with racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

A racism investigation is also ongoing against England captain John Terry, allegations he strenuously denies.

Asked if racism was a problem on the pitch, Blatter had earlier told CNN World Sport: "I would deny it. There is no racism, 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."

He also said on Al Jazeera: "During a match you ! may say something to someone who's not looking exactly like you, but at end of match it's forgotten."

Blatter attempted to douse the controversy by issuing a statement on FIFA's official website, where he pledged his commitment to stamping out racism from football.

He said: "My comments have been misunderstood. What I wanted to express is that, as football players, during a match, you have 'battles' with your opponents, and sometimes things are done which are wrong.

"But, normally, at the end of the match, you apologise to your opponent if you had a confrontation during the match, you shake hands, and when the game is over, it is over.

"Having said that, I want to stress again that I do not want to diminish the dimension of the problem of racism in society and in sport.

"I am committed to fighting this plague and kicking it out of football."

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