AC Milan midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng sports a jersey reading "AC Milan against racism" prior to the start of a Serie A match against Siena. Picture: AP Source: AP
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been heavily criticised for telling players subjected to racial abuse not to walk off the pitch, as AC Milan did last week.
Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng led his Milan teammates off last Thursday during a friendly against lower division club Pro Patria following racist chanting by fans.
The match was abandoned, but Blatter does not believe walking off is the best way to combat racism.
"Walk off? No. I don't think that is the solution," Blatter was quoted as saying on the website of Abu Dhabi's The National newspaper yesterday.
"I don't think you can run away, because eventually you can run away if you lose a match," he added.
"This issue is a very touchy subject, but I repeat there is zero tolerance of racism in the stadium."
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Milan players wore anti-racism shirts during their warm-up for the weekend Serie A match against Siena.
The Fare network, an organisation which says it aims to rid football of racism, said Blatter was in no position to tell Boateng how to react.
Executive director Piara Powar said: "We disagree entirely with the idea that Kevin-Prince Boateng ran away from the Milan match in which he was subjected to racial abuse.
"It's a nonsensical suggestion.
"What does Sepp Blatter know about what it is to be abused or excluded because you are an ethic minority, and what might be the right or wrong way to respond?
"The point is that the hard-won processes put in place to deal with issues of discriminatory abuse, that apply from referees all the way up to international disciplinary commissions, are not being implemented.
"There seem to be so many statements being made off the cuff by football administrators on important issues of policy that are ill-thought out. The message going out is one of indifference by governing bodies at all levels."
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Reading striker Jason Roberts tweeted his disapproval of Blatter's remarks: "This is CLASSIC..Blatter has outdone himself here...So..if you are being racially abused in a game, and have reported it to the Ref 3 times, just stand there and take it, that way YOU win..
"And don't worry because Blatter and those like him..are going to hit the Clubs/FA/with a meaningless fine, or write a plan, that way YOU win.
"No Thanks Sepp...tried that..65k fine for repeat offenders like Serbia etc..how about..WALK OFF THE PITCH..the only language you understand!"
Blatter said FIFA was yet to receive a report into last Thursday's incident from the Italian soccer federation, which has opened its own inquiry.
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"The only solution is to be very harsh with the sanctions," Blatter said. "And the sanctions must be a deduction of points or something similar."
Italian police have already identified several perpetrators of the abuse and prosecutors are considering whether to press charges of inciting racial hatred against Pro Patria fans.
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