Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has branded FIFA president Sepp Blatter as "idiotic" after his comments about racism in football.

FIFA's red-faced president backtracked hastily by apologising and retracting a statement on TV that racist abuse should be settled "with a handshake" at full-time.

But that came too late to stop a shockwave that has engulfed the game and threatened to undo years of hard work by anti-racism campaigners.

Redknapp rapped in The Sun: "Of course what he has said is idiotic and he is clearly out of touch with reality.

"But as well as that I'd like to know where he came from in the first place? I mean, what were his credentials to become president of FIFA in the first place? Football's like this sometimes.

"What is his background in football to make the biggest decisions that affect our game? It's beyond me.

"Not everyone likes Michel Platini but at least everyone appreciates he knows his stuff about football. He was a great player so the people who pay to go through the turnstiles accept he knows what he is talking about.

"Maybe if Blatter had been like Bobby Charlton or a great manager like Sir Alex Ferguson you would have more respect for his opinion.

"There are lots of great people in England and abroad who could run FIFA and who have a great background in football."