Blatter: Boateng was wrong to 'run away'

FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes that Kevin-Prince Boateng was wrong to walk off the pitch after he was racially abused during a friendly match in Italy last week.
Boateng was followed by his team-mates in leaving the field of play after several players were subjected to racist taunts by fans in a friendly at Italian fourth-tier side Pro Patria last week.


Speaking in Dubai on a tour of the Middle East Blatter called for harsher sanctions against racism, but he argued that the ex-Portsmouth and Tottenham man was wrong to leave the pitch.
'Walk off? No. I don't think that is the solution,' said Blatter. 'But the Italian federation have yet to provide FIFA with the report detailing what exactly has happened.

'I don't think you can run away, because eventually you can run away if you lose a match.
'This issue is a very touchy subject, but I repeat there is zero tolerance of racism in the stadium; we have to go against that.


The only solution is to be very harsh with the sanctions - and the sanctions must be a deduction of points or something similar.'
Blatter's comments were widely condemned, with Reading's Jason Roberts taking to Twitter, writing: 'No Thanks Sepp...tried that..65k fine for repeat offenders like Serbia etc..how about..WALK OFF THE PITCH..the only language you understand!'
Milan wore anti-racism t-shirts as they returned to Serie A action against Siena at the San Siro on Sunday following a two-week winter break.

Glen Damon wrote:My problem with Boateng's actions was his kicking of the ball into the crowd.

because eventually you can run away if you lose a match.

dena wrote:Jackie Robinson never walked off the damn field

dena wrote:He's right, this walking off the field thing accomplishes nothing, every year we hear about instances of players in Italy, or Russia, or whatever, walking off the field and every year the same shit happens. Jackie Robinson never walked off the damn field, it's obvious the players themselves can't do a thing about it, it's up to teams, leagues, and organizations to try to resolve this issue. Walking off the field doesnt do a damn thing.

dena wrote:He's right, this walking off the field thing accomplishes nothing, every year we hear about instances of players in Italy, or Russia, or whatever, walking off the field and every year the same shit happens. Jackie Robinson never walked off the damn field, it's obvious the players themselves can't do a thing about it, it's up to teams, leagues, and organizations to try to resolve this issue. Walking off the field doesnt do a damn thing.

Carlos Jenkinson wrote:Walking off gains attention, makes sure they don't have to play under illegal restrictions and hits the spectators who lost money because of it. If I paid to watch Ac Milan and some hillbilly's did the same thing I'd want to take action against it too.

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has hit back at Fifa chief Sepp Blatter after the world football boss said players who were racially abused during matches should not leave the pitch.
Milan's players walked off during a friendly after Kevin-Prince Boateng was subjected to racist abuse by fans of fellow Italian side Pro Patria.
Berlusconi told radio station RTL: "I am of the opposite view [to Blatter].
"I thanked and congratulated my players for their decision to leave the field."
AC Milan's players carried anti-racism messages on their shirts prior to Sunday's league win against Siena.
And former Italy president Berlusconi continued: "This is an uncivilised problem that needs to be stopped, people should not allow these things to happen.
"It's not only about the behaviour of players in the game, but of the public, and everyone needs to avoid giving Italy a negative image."
Former Tottenham and Portsmouth player Boateng picked up the match-ball midway through the first half of Thursday's friendly and kicked it towards the crowd after reacting to abuse from a section of the fans.
The Ghana international midfielder then removed his shirt and left the pitch with both sets of players and officials.
Boateng has said he would leave the pitch again if subjected to racist taunts in the future.

dena wrote:

Carlos Jenkinson wrote:Walking off gains attention, makes sure they don't have to play under illegal restrictions and hits the spectators who lost money because of it. If I paid to watch Ac Milan and some hillbilly's did the same thing I'd want to take action against it too.

If you were watching a game and players walked off the field due to racist chants what would you do?

dena wrote:Here's my thing, when faced with an issue, do you run away from it, or try to solve it? S'all I'm saying.

dena wrote:Here's my thing, when faced with an issue, do you run away from it, or try to solve it? S'all I'm saying.

dena wrote:Here's my thing, when faced with an issue, do you run away from it, or try to solve it? S'all I'm saying.

dena wrote:Here's my thing, when faced with an issue, do you run away from it, or try to solve it? S'all I'm saying.