Sepp Blatter Racism Row Draws Calls for FIFA Chief's Resignation

Sepp Blatter's controversial views on racism in football has sparked outrage in the sporting world, with many calling for the FIFA president to resign. IBTimes Sport takes a look at the reaction to his remarks:

"I just feel it's the straw that broke the camel's back. When you see the corruption they've had at Fifa, the comments he made about homosexuals not going to Qatar, the way he talked about women's football, the style of the arrangements for the World Cup, the fact he won't have technology. I think it's really time to move over." Gordon Taylor, PFA chief executive.

"I was very surprised to hear the president's remarks but have been pleased that both he and Fifa have come out to try to clarify the situation.
"Personally I believe there should be zero tolerance regarding racism, sectarianism and discrimination in any shape or form and I do know that many people at both Fifa and Uefa are working to eradicate this cancer from the game." Jim Boyce, Britain's Fifa vice-president.

"Sepp Blatter's comments are utterly unacceptable and totally outrageous, and they show how he is deeply rooted in a bygone era. Football in Great Britain has made fantastic progress to show racism the red card, but this excellent work is undermined when the President of football's international governing body makes such despicable comments - he should resign." Clive Efford, shadow sports minister.

"Tell me I have just read Sepp Blatter's comments on racism in football wrong. If not, I am astonished. I feel stupid for thinking that football was taking a leading role against racism.....it seems it was just on mute for a while. Just for clarity if a player abuses a referee, does a shake of the hand after the game wipe the slate clean??'' Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United defender.

"Mr Blatter, your comments about racism are ill thought out and condescending in the extreme. You should resign. I ask every football fan, current and former player, managers and coaches to join me in asking for the resignation of Mr Blatter from Fifa." Stan Collymore, talkSPORT pundit.

"You have to accept there is banter on a football pitch - there will be banter when we go out and train. But there are lines that are banter and there are lines where you have to say 'you can't say that' and when that happens it can't be forgotten at the end of a game. Throughout sport and society people should know that." Joe Jordan, Tottenham coach.

"Enough is enough. He has to go. He has overstepped the mark this time. It has to be resignation. He has never been in the position of being abused for the colour of his skin. He should just be saying 'Let's get rid of it from the game, worldwide, so football is clean'. It is a flippant remark. Time after time he does not seem to think about what he is saying. He has no idea what goes on on a day-to-day basis. If he did, he wouldn't have come out with that. People can't be as ignorant as him and stick their heads in the sand." Chris Kamara, Sky Sports pundit.

"These comments are worryingly out of touch. Shaking hands to compensate for a racial slur is not what the game has signed up to. It doesn't resonate with the zero-tolerance approach we encourage and certainly wouldn't resonate with the abuse victim." Danny Lynch, Kick it Out.

"I think one thing it proves is that he is miles away from what is actually happening in football and in the world. I'm amazed that he has come out with the comments, but the big question is who is actually going to take him to task?
"I've heard Gordon Taylor saying he should resign, but who is above Blatter - is he all powerful and almighty?" Tony Pulis, Stoke manager.