Sepp Blatter: Sorry for comments on racism

Sepp Blatter has told the BBC he is sorry for causing offence with his controversial statements on racism.The Fifa president appeared to suggest on Wednesday that racial discrimination could be settled with a handshake."It hurts and I am still hurting because I couldn't envisage such a reaction," said the 75-year-old Swiss."When you have done something which was not totally correct, I can only say I am sorry for all those people affected by my declarations."Blatter insisted his "fight against racism and discrimination will go on" and said he would not resign, despite calls for him to quit by numerous British players, managers, administrators and politicians.Blatter admitted his comments had caused a "serious incident" and that he had used "unfortunate words" which he "deeply regretted".He also said 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."Blatter's comments about racism, made earlier in the week, caused consternation in England.Manchester United defender and former England captain Rio Ferdinand accused the Fifa president of "ignorance", while David Beckham described Blatter's remarks as "appalling".Beckham added: "I don't think the comments were very good for this game. [Racism] can't be swept under the carpet and it can't be sorted out with just a handshake."Blatter tried to clarify his stance when speaking to Fox Soccer on Thursday but his interview with the BBC is the clearest acknowledgement yet that his comments caused offence.Tokyo Sexwale, the South African minister included in a photo with Blatter when Fifa put out a statement on Wednesday night saying the Swiss's comments had been misunderstood, commented: "It is important that such conduct [racism on the pitch] is rooted out from the field of play without any equivocation."Nevertheless I am satisfied to state that I had a telephone conversation with Mr Blatter this morning. He indicated that he would be issuing a statement to apologise without any reservation. It takes a big man to say 'I'm sorry'. In Fifa we kick the football and not the man."David Davies, a former acting chief executive of the Football Association (FA), said Blatter's apology was "fulsome" and thought it was the right thing to do."It's churlish not to welcome someone saying sorry for the offence they have caused," he said."He basically thinks that resigning would be weakness, though, and there are not calls from around the world for that to happen."In his interview with the BBC, Blatter also addressed the recent poppy controversy involving the England national team.The FA wanted to embroider a red poppy onto players' shirts for the friendly with world champions Spain to mark Remembrance Day.But it was prevented from doing so by Fifa, which argued that such a move would set a dangerous precedent.Asked whether he would apologise for any offence caused, Blatter said: "Yes, sure. If I had been informed on the first day of such a demand, I would have immediately said 'yes'.