FIFA president Sepp Blatter has this morning apologised for his comments regarding racism in football.
The 75-year-old had said in interviews earlier this week that incidents of racist abuse on the pitch could be settled by a handshake between the players concerned at the end of a match.
His comments drew strong criticism from people within the British game and in UK politics. However, on Friday in an interview with the BBC, he has apologised for any offence his remarks caused.
Gunners boss Wenger maintains any form of discrimination must be stamped out.
He said: "I am against any discrimination. I am for zero tolerance, on the pitch and off the pitch, in the stands, where there is still a lot of work to do in England on that front."
Wenger added: "Racist comments are unacceptable and any discrimination is unacceptable. Sport has a fantastic chance and a fantastic opportunity.
"Football is a worldwide sport watched all over the world and we have a massive responsibility in that.
"I believe there is still sometimes bad remarks, but overall in my sport there is no deep racial problem."
Frenchman Wenger believes while sport is moving in the right direction, wider society still has work to do.
He said: "Football gives you one chance and it is because you are selected on merit and it is easy to identify the merit. In normal society, the problem is much deeper.
"If you are a good player, you play. No matter where you come from. It is not always true in a normal society, but in sport it is easy to identify how good you are.
"That is why sport can be an example for society."
Wenger's Manchester City counterpart Roberto Mancini added: "There is racism in football, like there is in life. It is good that people are making an issue of it. Racism is a bad thing in the world."
Celtic manager Neil Lennon, who has been the victim of sectarian abuse and violence in the past, agreed that Blatter had completely "missed the point" but did not think Blatter would stand down, and defended his record in developing the game in Africa.
The Northern Irishman said: "There is no place in football for racism, it is as simple as that. It has reared its ugly head because of these cases in England, for me these guys (Luis Suarez and John Terry) are innocent until proved guilty but for the head of FIFA to come out and totally miss the point is pretty upsetting for a lot of people who work so hard to stamp that out.
"I don't think he will (step down). He is in a strong position. He is prone to making these gaffes but I think he does a lot of work, particularly in Africa, for the good of the game and I think he is in such a powerful position that I don't think he will step down. Whether he should or not is not for me to say."
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson welcomed Blatter's apology. "I don't know how he has apologised but it is always nice to apologise," said Ferguson.
United defender Rio Ferdinand was quick to react when Blatter's observations became public knowledge earlier this week, and Ferguson has declined to rebuke the centre-half for making his feelings known via Twitter.
"Rio knows the parameters he can go to," said Ferguson.
"He cannot discuss anything involving Manchester United. He can Twitter as much as he likes as long as it doesn't affect us."
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, asked about Blatter's controversial comments on racism, said: "It's disappointing, isn't it? Sepp Blatter, as always, seems to put his foot in it for some reason or another.
"There's no room for it (racism) at all in the game.
"I had the privilege of playing with Viv Anderson - he was the first black player who played for England - and the abuse he got at certain grounds was horrific.
"In the main, now, I thought it had all disappeared. But unfortunately, it rears its ugly head from time to time, and we must wipe it out, it's as simple as that."
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