Johannesburg - Human Settlements Minister and member of the FIFA Social Development Committee, Tokyo Sexwale, says it is completely unthinkable to refer to FIFA President Sepp Blatter as a racist.
This comes after Blatter on Wednesday sparked bitter outcry with his suggestion that players involved in racist scuffles in the field of play could settle the matter with a handshake.
"Blatter is well known worldwide as a champion against racism and discrimination. It is documented that he fought tooth and nail to have the first FIFA World Cup in Africa, which was hosted in our country in 2010.
"It was Blatter who influenced the Makana Football Association on Robben Island in recognition of the role played by prisoners through football in the struggle against apartheid, one of the worst forms of racism and discrimination.
"It is therefore completely unthinkable to refer to such a man as a racist," said Sexwale at a special media briefing requested by international media to get his views as a member of FIFA's anti-racism committee.
As the world football governing body used his photo with Blatter, Sexwale said this might have also created the perception in certain circles that Blatter was trying to clean up his image.
"As a non-racist and freedom fighter, I have to tell you that the photo was not used for damage control purposes," he said.
However, while Sexwale supported Blatter's earlier statement that racism ought to be fought vigorously in society, football and grandstands, he disagreed with Blatter's statement that racism did not exist on the pitch.
"This was rather unfortunate. We had countless cases of racial slurs being spewed on the field of play by players against others and our committee has joined the call for such players to be brought to book as their racial indiscretions are totally unacceptable," he said.
Blatter's comments came when the English Football Association was investigating Liverpool and Uruguay player, Luis Suarez, for allegedly racially abusing Manchester United player, Patrice Evra, who is black.
England and Chelsea skipper, John Terry, is also being investigated for allegedly hurling racist remarks to QPR defender Anton Ferdinard.
Sexwale said the Suarez incident was a case in point where strong action needed to be taken not only by his team, but also by the English Football Association as well.
Regarding Terry's case, Sexwale said: "It is not helpful for any side to have honoured him with the captain's armband while the indiscretion against another player is still so fresh in the mind. This gives an impression that people get a slap on the wrist."
He further said handshakes and exchange of jerseys after the match should not be used to mitigate the racial slurs between players during the match, but harsh punishment should be imposed.
"It is important that such conduct is rooted out from the field itself without any equivocation," he said, adding that Blatter has since issued a statement to apologise for his remarks.
"I'm satisfied to state that I had a telephone conversation with President Blatter this morning where he indicated that he will be issuing a statement to apologise without any reservation. It takes a big man to say 'I am sorry'."
While England head of Professional Footballers Association, Gordon Taylor, said the FIFA President must quit, Sexwale had this to say: "As FIFA, we kick football not an individual."
