"I would just like to say that I regret what has happened," Blatter told reporters at FIFA's daily news briefing.
"I regret what I said about his actions in the match between Portugal and the Netherlands."
Ivanov set a World Cup finals record on June 25 in Nuremberg by sending off four players and handing out eight additional yellow cards. Both the Portuguese and the Dutch finished the match, which Portugal won 1-0, with nine men.
Blatter was quoted on Portuguese television after the clash as saying Ivanov should have yellow-carded himself for his poor refereeing performance.
"I consider that today the referee was not at the same level as the participants, the players. There could have been a yellow card for the referee," Blatter said at the time.
Ivanov was also criticized by Dutch coach Marco van Basten and several players for being overzealous in handing out cards.
Three days after the game, Ivanov was dropped for the remainder of the tournament by FIFA's referees committee. The 45-year-old, music-loving teacher has said the match was the most difficult of his career.
? Blatter supports a new booking system that would allow players to receive three yellow cards in a round at the World Cup before they're suspended for a match, The Associated Press reported. With record numbers of red and yellow cards handed out at this World Cup, Blatter said Tuesday it was a "very wise suggestion" to amend the existing rules that impose a one-match suspension on players who pick up two cautions.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.