Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has demanded Sepp Blatter step down as FIFA president after his amazing comments about Manchester United's hold on Cristiano Ronaldo.

Whelan said: "The man is a complete idiot. You've got to ask whether Blatter is fit for purpose after what he's said.

"The answer over the years is that he clearly isn't. To even indicate that players are treated like modern-day slaves is outrageous. How stupid can that man be?"

Birmingham chairman David Gold said: "I can't think of anyone who has stayed in such a similar position of power for so long, who has come out with such drivel.

"It's arrogant nonsense and complete and utter rubbish.

"If he was comparing lower league players with slaves - those who are not earning big money - maybe you could see where he was coming from.

"But to use the word in the same breath as Ronaldo, on £120,000 a week, is looking at one side of the coin."

Former Watford, AC Milan and England striker Luther Blissett blasted: "Does he not realise how much offence he is causing by throwing in a word like ‘slavery' in the context of footballers earning millions of pounds a year? It's totally outrageous.

"He obviously does not understand the significance of the term. It's insulting to all the people who have been real slaves through the ages. The guys who would get hung, drawn and quartered or beaten for being slaves rather than paid millions.

"The man doesn't think before he opens his mouth and I'm sure every black player who heard his words will be wondering what planet he's living on. It's just a completely inappropriate comparison to make."