Blatter wants better racism solutions

FIFA president Sepp Blatter feels better solutions must be found to fight racism.

Blatter believes Kevin-Prince Boateng’s decision to walk off the field of play in the 26th minute of AC Milan’s friendly against Pro Patria on Thursday would not benefit anyone long term.

Although Blatter appreciated the bravery from Boateng, the FIFA president believes there must be some other way to deal with the issue.

“If a player walks off the pitch because he has been racially abused just as the Milan player Kevin-Prince Boating did, it is a strong and courageous signal,” Blatter told reporters.

“This has now gone too far and it must not go further, but it cannot be the solution in the long term. We have to find other sustainable solutions to tackle the problem of racism and discrimination at its root.

“Football must not separate people, football must bring people together.”

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo echoed Blatter’s sentiments.

“We can’t leave the pitch, we have to know how to deal with these people who might not be very intelligent,” he said.

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta said more needed to be done to educate spectators about racism at football matches.

“The really sad thing it is that these things keep happening and never stop happening,” Iniesta said.

“The perfect thing would be to sanction this minority of people or if we could find a way to correct their behaviour.

“That is the really sad thing, that being racist is something personal and it’s a choice.”