Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA, denied that racism exists on the soccer field in an interview with Al Jazeera in 2011. When asked about racism in soccer, Blatter claimed that any racist gestures or comments made during matches are due to anger in the heat of competition and are forgotten afterward. He asserted that true racism occurs outside of matches. However, the document provides several examples of racist incidents directed at players during and after matches that contradict Blatter's statements, including bananas being thrown at Black players. It also defines racism in soccer as abuse toward players, officials, or fans due to their race, nationality, religion or ethnicity, indicating Blatter's definition underestimates the seriousness and various forms that racism takes