Blatter says sorry but will not resign

FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Friday said he "deeply regretted" his comments about racism in football and issued an apology - but was adamant he would not resign.

The 75-year-old backtracked on remarks made in interviews earlier this week that incidents of racist abuse on the pitch should be settled by a handshake between the players concerned.

Prime Minister David Cameron led the calls for Blatter to step down, and the FIFA president admitted on Friday that his comments had caused a "serious incident" and that he had used "unfortunate words" which he "deeply regretted".

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

"I am sorry and I regret that my statements earlier this week have resulted in an unfortunate situation. I am committed to the fight against racism and I will not stop until I have stamped out racism in football."

Blatter was adamant however, that he would not resign over the comments.

He said: "I cannot resign. Why should I?

"When you are faced with a problem you have to solve the problem. To leave the organisation this would be totally unfair and is not compatible with my fighting spirit, my character, my energy and my personal commitment to football."

Blatter now says any players found guilty of racism on the pitch should be thrown out of the game.

"Zero tolerance," he said.

"This was a good lesson for me as well.

It should be and it shall be zero tolerance."

The controversy has seen Blatter become embroiled in a Twitter row with Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, and the FIFA president said he had hoped for "a little bit better more understanding from star players" because of their record in tackling racism.

Tokyo Sexwale, the South African minister who was included in a photo with Blatter when FIFA put out an initial statement on Wednesday night saying the Swiss' comments had been misunderstood, told a press conference that Blatter had made an "unfortunate mistake" but had a long pedigree of working against racism.

He said: "We should distinguish racial remarks from other things. If you use a racial slur it won't go away, you cannot exchange a jersey, you can't mitigate it with a handshake, that's why we call for action to be taken against players.

"We should differentiate between racial remarks and remarks when players are fighting for the ball.

"I think what Mr Blatter was saying, he mixed up those emotions and was trying to say 'look, let's get on with the game'. It was an unfortunate mistake."

Ferdinand's former United team-mate David Beckham joined in the condemnation of Blatter's initial comments, calling them "appalling" and adding: "(Racism) can't be swept under the carpet, it can't be sorted out with a handshake.

"That's not the way of the world and that's not how racism should be treated."

Sexwale said FIFA's use of a picture of him being hugged by Blatter was unnecessary.

He added: "I can quite understand that people don't like the fact that my picture was used, there's a perception it could have created that this was an attempt to whitewash, play down or improve the image.

"Mr Blatter is a very big man, I don't think he needs a hug with Tokyo Sexwale to fight his battles."

FA chairman David Bernstein said Blatter's apology was "necessary" and that his initial comments were "irresponsible".

Bernstein said: "All forms of discrimination should be reported and it is our responsibility to investigate these fully. A handshake at the end of the game does not draw a line under racial abuse during a match.

"Mr Blatter has made it clear he will not resign but his apology today was necessary. His initial comments were wrong and irresponsible.

"As I have said many times in the past, with power comes responsibility and I - with others in prominent positions in the game have to make sure we live up to the values of which we speak.

"I am mindful that - this week's comments aside - FIFA as an organisation does much good work around the world. The organisation has made great strides in fighting racism as have many national football federations.

"I would like to take this opportunity to stress that The FA remains strongly committed to diversity, equal opportunities for all and anti-discrimination."