NBA's Decision To Ban L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling Draws Praise In Europe

The NBA's life ban for L.A. Clippers Owner DONALD STERLING "won swift support in Europe, but it also produced calls" for football to show "similar resolve against racism," according to John Leicester of the AP. FIFA President SEPP BLATTER and UEFA President MICHEL PLATINI, "via his spokesman," both voiced approval on Wednesday. Blatter tweeted, "Sport says no to racism. I fully support @NBA's decision to ban @LAClippers owner for life after his racist words." Former French footballer PATRICK VIEIRA tweeted, "Well done to @NBA, another organisation dealing with racism in exactly the right way. I say again - zero tolerance." Former British NBA player JOHN AMAECHI noted that "players, executives and owners in the American league appeared united in their rejection of Sterling." Amaechi: "If they can do that to respond to a hateful private utterance, why the hell can't football do that to respond to repeated instances of hate-mongering?" (AP, 4/30).