Racism/bias exist on the field but also in the stands and in the institutions/organizations that oversee sports/soccer globally and nationally. Sepp Blatter’s (Head of soccer/futball's governing body - FIFA) statements have failed to set the proper example in response to rising racism/bias. If athletes are supposed to set a proper example then coaches and team managers have an even higher accountability. The top of the governing body has the highest of responsibility – SEPP BLATTER’s statement is troubling, for its lack of an affirmative approach to a violation of our tolerance aswell as offense to individuals/groups. Forget it & Look Forward to Next Game: On CNN World Sport in response to question about whether racism existed on the field Blatter responded: 'I would deny it. There is no racism, there is maybe one of the players towards another, he has a word or a gesture which is not the correct one, but also the one who is affected by that. He should say that this is a game. We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands, and this can happen, because we have worked so hard against racism and discrimination.” Following up Blatter seemed to imply that it is not a matter to be taken seriously beyond a racist statement being an emotional over-reaction in the heat of battle: “And, on the field of play sometimes you say something that is not very correct, but then at the end of the game, the game is over and you have the next game where you can behave better.” Perhaps ironic that Mr. Blatter’s controversy arose on the International Day of Tolerance where a wide swathe of UN and global leaders promoted the methodology of “active tolerance.” UNSG Secretary General offered: “Practising tolerance can serve as the antidote to prejudice and hatred. We all have a responsibility to protect those vulnerable to discrimination, whether based on race, religion, nationality, language, gender, sexual orientation or other factors:” Director-General of UNESCO emphasized, “In a world that is more connected than ever, intolerance is not an option, and 'passive tolerance' or mere peaceful coexistence is not enough.” (Read - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/active-tolerance-international-day-of-tolerance-by-ambassador-mo/41868 ). Mr. Blatter is in part right regarding the heat of battle on the field, but he has the highest responsibility to be intolerant of intolerance. His leadership cascades through team managers, coaches, players and ultimately spectators and a global audience. Athletes, from professionals to amateurs, are held to higher standards, and frequently relating to matters in their private lives having very little to do with their behavior on the field. It is the field and the locker room that are the stage and workplace where offensive conduct is most relevant. On Field & Locker Room - Role Models: Off Field – Raucous and Rowdy: When I went on an athletic scholarship to play American football at Tulane University in New Orleans, I was privileged to share the field, locker room and living dormitories with the first “black”/African American players admitted to our team. (I was only “white” player assigned a “black” roommate in part because I think someone assumed a boy named “Muhamed” also had to be African-American). Racism had not disappeared overnight among players or administration. All of us hold perhaps some perspective or presumption that is tinted by race, ethnicity and/or religion. Off the field, we were not always so well behaved – after all this was New Orleans and we were kings then. I spent more than one night in a bar room brawl and a police lock-up. Girls were abundantly available. However, on the field we were one team and racist intolerance never was allowed to intrude toward opponent or our teammate. No one had to tell us, but from administration, to coaches to players an example was set, and we were all aware of our role model status in what was America’s crucial moment of starting to mature in terms of defeating racial discrimination. Even an 18 year-old in New Orleans knows that intolerance has no place on the field, and we are all responsible for setting the right model for society. (Photos & Role Models - As young boy with Sarajevo Football Club, with my father at Valley Forge HS "Patriots" & Tulane Football in New Orleans). By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan on “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX “War Crimes Justice” Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice




 See Film Report "No Color (Malaga FC & UNESCO) - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/no-color/29191