Under-fire FIFA president Sepp Blatter embroiled himself in a Twitter war-of-words with Rio Ferdinand over his comments about racism.
FIFA attempted to clarify Blatter's comments with a statement on their website underneath a picture of Blatter with South African minister Tokyo Sexwale, who was imprisoned on Robben Island during the apartheid era, leading the Manchester United defender to write on Twitter: "Fifa clear up the blatter comments with a pic of him posing with a black man..I need the hand covering eyes symbol!!"
Blatter was stung into a response and replied directly to Ferdinand saying: "The 'black man' as you call him has a name: Tokyo Sexwale. He has done tremendous work against racism and apartheid in Africa."
He added: "We have done several joint activities to raise awareness on the struggle against racism in South Africa. FIFA has a long standing and proud record in the area of anti-discrimination which will continue."
Ferdinand had earlier condemned Blatter's remark that racism on the pitch was not a problem and that racist abuse between players should be settled by a handshake.
He contacted Blatter's Twitter account directly, writing: "@SeppBlatter your comments on racism are so condescending its almost laughable. If fans shout racist chants but shake our hands is that ok?"
Sports minister Hugh Robertson and players' chief Gordon Taylor on Thursday led the calls for Blatter to resign.
Robertson told BBC Radio 5 Live: "This is incredibly serious but it is part of a pattern of behaviour."
Asked whether Blatter should go, Robertson said: "Yes. I can't see there's anything terribly new in this. We've been saying this for some time."
Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Taylor hopes it leads to him stepping down, telling Sky News: ``He is the leader of world football, he has to be a leader in anti-racism."
Source: PA
