FIFA PRESIDENT SEPP Blatter has denied speculation that football has a racism problem.

Recent allegations made against both Luis Suarez and John Terry led many commentators to suggest the issue needed to be seriously examined.

However, Blatter says there is no problem, telling 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.”

In addition, Blatter has sought to highlight the work that has been done to stamp out racism, rather than focusing on any alleged problems, adding:

“And on the field of play sometimes you say something that is not very correct, but then at the end of the game, the game is over and you have the next game where you can behave better.”

On Twitter, Blatter later added: “However, – and it is not an excuse – sometimes, in the heat of the moment, things are said and done on the field of play which are wrong.”

Meanwhile, the president’s comments have been widely condemned by many journalists, with The Times’ Olilver Holt tweeting:

“In any kind of accountable organisation, Blatter would already be on the brink and this would be the final straw.”

The remarks are merely the latest controversy in what has been a turbulent career in football for Blatter.

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