SWITZERLAND: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - FIFA President Sepp Blatter appeals for a racism-free World Cup when the tournament is played in Brazil next year.

Record ID: 860714

  • Title: SWITZERLAND: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - FIFA President Sepp Blatter appeals for a racism-free World Cup when the tournament is played in Brazil next year.
  • Date: 12th June 2013
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (RECENT) (REUTERS) SPANISH COACH VICENTE DEL BOSQUE AT SPAIN TRAINING SPANISH SQUAD TRAINING BEIJING, CHINA (RECENT JUNE 10, 2013) (REUTERS) DUTCH SQUAD TRAINING ARJEN ROBBEN TRAINING
  • Embargoed: 27th June 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Brazil
  • City:
  • Country: Brazil Italy Switzerland Spain
  • Topics: General,Politics,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA51U5PNXF58PTVDHVS5E3FAQF6
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: FIFA President Sepp Blatter has appealed to soccer players and fans for a racism-free World Cup next year.
    The sport's governing body last month adopted tough new measures in the fight against racism, including the possibility of points deductions and expulsion from competition, bans on players and tougher financial penalties.
    Speaking in the run up to the Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil, a warm up tournament for the main event in 2014, the head of world soccer's governing body said: "Make the best out of it but play fair, play fair with respect. And please, please, don't give us problems with racism or discrimination."
    Blatter sees the Confederations Cup - which begins on Saturday (June 15) - as an international League of Champions played in six different cities across Brazil. It is regarded as a test event for the World Cup facilities, infrastructure and stadium.
    "We play in six different cities and as I say, this is the cup of champions but it's also a very good rehearsal for us," said Blatter.
    Blatter is keen to emphasise the legacy he thinks the World Cup will leave in Brazil, one of the world's strongest emerging economic nations.
    "Brazil is not only a powerhouse in football, it's a powerhouse in economy and I'm sure that after this World Cup as a legacy a powerhouse in social cultural values because the World Cup will, in this multicultural country, will connect the people," he said.
    No European team has ever won a World Cup staged in North or South America and Blatter speculated on whether it could happen this time.
    Spain are defending the title they won in beating Netherlands in the final in South Africa in 2010.
    "Europe says 'we are the best'. So let's see, let's see, it will be a very, very interesting competition," added Blatter.
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