Blatter sorry for racism remarks, rules out resignation

Trying to stem the uproar caused by his comments on racism, FIFA President Sepp Blatter expressed regret Friday for causing offense to anyone but stopped short of a full apology and rejected calls to resign.Blatter said he was sorry for the furor caused by his claim that racist abuse does not exist on the soccer field and that any racial incidents could be settled by a handshake at the end of a match.The conciliatory move comes after Blatter was ridiculed in Britain for his comments. British Prime Minister David Cameron joined a wave of condemnation, and David Beckham called the Blatter statements appalling. A top British soccer official also urged Blatter to resign.Any comments that appear to diminish racism would hit a nerve in Britain, where authorities are now investigating allegations that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Chelsea defender John Terry racially abused black players during Premier League games.Speaking Friday in a BBC interview in Zurich, Blatter said he deeply regretted using unfortunate words in a pair of television interviews on Wednesday. Still, he didnt retract his view that racial insults could be forgotten after shaking hands.I am sorry and I regret that my statements earlier this week have resulted in an unfortunate situation and have taken this dimension. I am committed to the fight against racism and I have no doubt about that, Blatter said.
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