Wenger wants racism stamped out

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has joined the chorus of disapproval of FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s controversial comments on racism.

Swiss Blatter has been blasted for saying players should shake hands and move on if they are victims of racial abuse.

Wenger, whose team is preparing for an English Premier League encounter at Norwich City on Saturday, believes there should be punishment for racial abuse.

“Well I don’t know exactly what he (Blatter) said. What I’ve heard, what I’ve been told, is that people should shake hands after the game,” he said.

“It’s not something you can be against, so does that mean we have to accept what happened before? I personally think no, and that an insult, of course, has to be punished.”

“Racist comments are unacceptable, any discrimination for me is unacceptable. And sport has a fantastic chance, a fantastic opportunity.”

“Football is a worldwide sport, a massive sport watched all over the world, and we have a massive responsibility in that.”

The Frenchman joins a long list of people involved in the game who have disapproved of Blatter’s comments.

Meanwhile, his team are on a four-match winning run as they head to Carrow Road.

Wenger said returning to once again compete in the title race was the goal for his side, who are 12 points adrift of league leaders Manchester City.

“For us, our target is to come back and fight at the top of the Premier League. That’s more important than anything else for us, and it’s vital for us that we come back in the championship race,” he said.

“We’re coming from hell, and if we’ve learned something it’s to put 100 percent effort into every game.”

In-form forward Robin van Persie will feature against Norwich, while Wenger ruled out a short-term loan deal for former striker Thierry Henry.