( CNN ) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter claimed on Wednesday he has apologized enough for remarks he made last week regarding on-field racism in football , with the Swiss saying he now considers the matter `` closed . '' The head of world soccer 's governing body was heavily criticized for comments he made in an interview with CNN , where he suggested racism between players on the pitch could be settled with a handshake . Blatter , speaking at the Asian Football Confederation ( AFC ) headquarters in Malaysia , reaffirmed his stance against discrimination , saying he was hurt by the accusations which were leveled against him . `` I can only say this item for me is closed , '' the 75-year-old told a press conference . `` There is no tolerance ( of ) racism . I have been interpreted as such and I have made my apologies . I can not say anything more . `` There is no discrimination in my feelings , there is no racism , nothing at all . This matter for me is over . We go forward . There is zero tolerance ( for ) racism , zero tolerance ( for ) discrimination in all activities in the field of play and outside the field . `` [ I was ] very much hurt by these comments because it touched me in my conscience and my determination to go against racism . '' It has been a turbulent 18 months for FIFA , with allegations of bribery and corruption surrounding the presidential election which saw Blatter voted in unopposed for a fourth term as the organization 's chief in June . Former AFC head Mohammad Bin Hammam was due to be one of Blatter 's opponents in the ballot , but the Qatari has since received a lifetime ban from football for alleged corruption during his presidential campaign . Bin Hammam is challenging his ban in the Court of Arbitration for Sport and Blatter declined to comment on whether there was a way back into FIFA for the former executive committee member . `` We will wait for the outcome of the next step , '' said Blatter .
Sepp Blatter has said he considers the recent racism controversy closed . The FIFA president was asked about a report in which former England captain David Beckham claimed that African players were "dirty" and had to be cleaned. Blatter says he felt hurt by the widespread criticism he received .