FIFA chief faces calls to resign in racism furor

(CBS/AP) Despite its global popularity, soccer in Europe has long been shadowed by a history of racism. And while jeering fans are often the culprits, the players themselves have been guilty too.

So it made headlines when FIFA President Sepp Blatter downplayed racism on the soccer field.

"On the field of play, I deny that there is racism," Blatter said Wednesday. "If you had a confrontation during the match, you shake hands, and when the game is over, it is over."

Needless to say there was a backlash in England, where two top players are being investigated for racially insulting opponents during recent Premier League games. Anton Ferdinand was the target of an alleged slur by England captain John Terry. Meanwhile, Liverpool forward Luis Suarez was charged by the English Football Association with racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

On Wednesday, Man U defender Rio Ferdinand - brother of Anton - took aim at Blatter on Twitter.

"Sepp Blatter your comments on racism are so condescending its almost laughable. If fans shout racist chants but shake our hands is that ok? I feel stupid for thinking that football was taking a leading role against racism.....it seems it was just on mute for a while."

Gordon Taylor, the top exec of England's players' union, had this take: "As the president of FIFA he's got to be shouting from the top of the hills that (racism) is unacceptable on the pitch."

Blatter later made a feeble attempt to clarify his comments.

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

That did nothing to appease Daily Telegraph columnist Henry Winter, who wrote: "Blatter needs to apologize at the very least, resign at the very best."

On Thursday, a British government minister joined the chorus calling for Blatter's ouster.

"For the sake of the game, he should go," Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said, calling Blatter's latest comments "completely unacceptable."

Said Robertson: "This is the latest episode that calls into question whether this man should be the head of world football."

And there are plenty of episodes. Blatter's latest gaffe follows previous verbal missteps such as suggesting that women players should wearer tighter shorts, and gay fans should refrain from having sex at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where homosexual acts are illegal.

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"Crisis? What is a crisis? Football is not in a crisis." — Blatter at news conference in May amid FIFA's worst corruption scandal.

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"If this had happened in let's say Latin countries then I think he would have been applauded." — Blatter in 2010 on allegations that England captain John Terry had an affair with teammate Wayne Bridge's ex-girlfriend.

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"Let's get women to play in different and more feminine garb than the men. ... in tighter shorts for example." — Blatter on women's soccer clothing in 2004.

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"I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities." — Blatter on fact that homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, posing problems for gay visitors during the 2022 World Cup.