Kuala lumpur, Nov 23 (IANS): FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said he has made his apologies for his comments on racism, insisting "zero tolerance" to racism and considers the matter to be over.

Blatter, who is attending the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) annual awards ceremony here Wednesday, was asked about his recent remarks on racism where he said such incidents could be solved by a handshake at the end of a game.

The comments prompted harsh criticism from the British media and Britain's Sports Minister Hugh Robertson and Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of England's Professional Footballers Association, even called for Blatter to resign, Xinhua reported.

"I can only say this item for me is closed. There is no tolerance for racism," told the 75-year-old in a press conference in the AFC headquarters. "I have been interpreted as such and I have made my apologies. I cannot say anything more."

"There is no discrimination in my feelings, there is no racism, nothing at all. This matter for me is over. I cannot say anything more. 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," added Blatter.