By Andrew Warshaw
November 21 – Britain’s FIFA vice-president insisted today that Sepp Blatter (pictured right) is not a racist and said he was “pleased” with Blatter’s attempt to rectify the situation following the outrage that accompanied his statement that racist incidents on the field should be settled with a handshake.
“I was very surprised to hear the remarks which were unfortunate,” Northern Ireland’s Jim Boyce (pictured left) told insideworldfootball.
“But I honestly believe he did not mean the harm that a lot of people have criticised him for.”
Boyce is in a delicate, difficult position.
As Britain’s main FIFA representative, he has to be seen to be supporting British views while at the same time making sure he does not incur the anger of his colleagues at the top table.
“FIFA and UEFA have done a lot to rid the game of the cancer of racism and I think the President was caught in an unfortunate situation where he regretted saying what he said,” said Boyce.
“When you in a high position you have to be very careful what you say it, how you say it and how people interpret it.
“The President has made a sincere and genuine apology for the offence that he has caused and I would hope we can now move on.
“I’m pleased he and FIFA have now come out and done that.
“I’m not trying to defend what was said – I personally abhor any form of racism, sectarianism and discrimination.
“But the President has been man enough to come out and apologise.
“I think he deeply regrets the remarks he made.”
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