Finally, someone outside the media prepared to give Sepp Blatter a piece of his mind! For while FIFA’s president is notoriously happy to spout his opinion on any number of issues - especially if it involves criticising England or English clubs - he is rarely forced to have a taste of his own medicine. Step forward Rio Ferdinand who has pointed out, quite rightly as it happens, that FIFA is all talk and no action when it comes to racism.

He said: “Croatia were fined a few thousand quid. What’s that going to do? That is not going to stop people shouting racist or homophobic abuse. Sepp Blatter likes to speak up about things that are good for Fifa’s image but I would love to see them stand up and dish out the right punishments for these incidents.

“If things like this keep happening you have to take points off them. Then the punters will realise the team is going to be punished.”

Too right. Instead of sticking his oar into Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer status and the ownership of Premier League clubs, perhaps Blatter will start working on implementing his own policies if enough players and coaches voice their concerns.