BEIJING (AP):

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said his organisation would never consider a boycott of the Beijing Olympics and he criticised protests that have surrounded the Olympic torch relay.

Blatter was in Beijing yesterday for the men's and women's draw for the Olympic soccer tournament.

"FIFA's stand and FIFA's position in all questions of a boycott has always been the same: a boycott will never add anything and especially not to the sport," Blatter said.

"So, we do not enter into any discussions if there can be ... any boycott. It doesn't exist in the FIFA philosophy to boycott any competition."

Something is wrong

Blatter, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, said protests during the torch relay showed "something is wrong with the world".

He declined to answer directly if athletes should have a right to protest during the Olympics as long as their protests take place away from Olympic venues.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said earlier this month in Beijing that athletes have that right of free expression.

"The Olympic torch represents a message and an ideal of the Olympic spirit," Blatter said. "And if such a torch is not able to be driven around the world, then something is wrong with the world and not with the Olympic torch."

Protests have dogged the Olympic torch, with demonstrators focusing on China's policies in Tibet and its relations with Sudan and the ongoing strife in Darfur.