Blatter triggered widespread condemnation on Wednesday after suggesting that footballers who are subjected to racist abuse by opponents should settle their differences with a handshake.
Although the 75-year-old FIFA chief later said in a statement his remarks had been miscontrued, his comments were greeted with incredulity by the British media and anti-racism campaigners.
The Sun tabloid led the condemnation with a front page story headlined “Blind as a Blatt”, while the paper’s editorial said it was time for the veteran Swiss official to step down from his post.
“Blatter has long been a serious embarrassment to the game,” the paper said.
“Now we know he thinks racism is no big deal. What a toad he is.”
Blatter’s comments came as Liverpool’s Uruguayan international Luis Suarez was charged by the English Football Association for allegedly racially abusing Manchester United’s French international Patrice Evra.
England captain John Terry is also facing a police and FA investigation over allegations he hurled racist abuse at QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.
The Daily Telegraph’s respected football correspondent Henry Winter, meanwhile, said Blatter’s position at the summit of the sport was untenable.
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