FIFA is not fit for purpose and is completely antiquated - as has been underlined by the myriad of scandals that continue to hit world football’s governing body. FIFA president Sepp Blatter recently sparked controversy once again with his dismissal of the role that racism still plays in football. "There is no racism [on the field], but maybe there is a word or gesture that is not correct," Blatter told CNN. "The one affected by this should say this is a game and shake hands." His most recent remarks can be perceived as not only emphatically insensitive but also purely ignorant of reality. The idea that discrimination in whatever context can be settled over shaking hands is monumentally incongruous. It is quite clear that to make a start in reforming FIFA, Blatter needs to go, as he is a representative and a chief proponent of FIFA’s tarnished reputation.

The stronghold he must feel he has in his role as FIFA’s premier has partially influenced his most recent highly contentious remarks. He appears to consistently conduct himself in a manner which implies he feels untouchable. And it seems Blatter can indeed do or say almost anything without his position being threatened.

The strength of his position is in part indicated by his recent election where he ran and won a fourth term unopposed as the executive of FIFA. In spite of the controversy surrounding his previous administrations, only one candidate initially stood against him in the previous election, before pulling out due to accusations of corruption.

In the furore of Blatter’s many gaffes, the media and public figures frequently condemn his character and competency. Many groups of people throughout the world have been offended by these gaffes, which have included remarks about homosexuality, women in football, slaves and corruption. Blatter’s behaviour is not appropriate contemporary social times and he needs to be forced out.

One example of this was Blatter’s recent comments which implied that homosexuals should refrain from sexual activity whilst in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. He has also said that women footballers should wear tighter clothes, to “create a more female aesthetic”. In addition, he famously compared the former multimillion-pound contract of Cristiano Ronaldo to slavery, because Sir Alex Fergusson was initially very reluctant to sell the star that he had invested a lot of time and money in. Such an analogy makes a mockery of slavery and undermines its serious, barbaric, and repugnant nature

Despite all of this, his position as FIFA’s president never appears to be seriously in jeopardy, which to me reiterates the stronghold he maintains and is representative of FIFA’s reputation as a whole. FIFA has experienced many accusations of bribery and corruption, partly stemming from its non-transparent structure. This further reiterates the unscrupulous culture that is endemic in the organisation and the extent of reform needed to comprehensively transform FIFA for the better.

QPR Manager Neil Warnock echoes this view of his immunity as FIFA president. “I don't see that anybody is going to sack him. I think the only way we could get him out of the situation that he is in is if every black player in the country, in every country, refused to play in the next international game.” This captures the degree of pressure necessary to not only change FIFA’s president but also to reform the whole body, which is supposedly a charitable organisation. FIFA’s head seems to be immune from scandals, regardless of how frequently they occur, and irrespective of how socially unacceptable his remarks appear. This imperviousness illustrates the outdated rigidity of FIFA’s political system.

The wide condemnation of Sepp Blatter from the football community has been particularly vociferous in Britain, as demonstrated by the denunciation Blatter has received from many politicians and public figures alike. In order to push incumbent Sepp Blatter out of FIFA, we need to make a more concerted effort. As the mechanics of FIFA require such overarching reform that cannot be accomplished by those currently in charge, one option would be a mass boycott of FIFA. Alternatively, the major football nations, such as Brazil, Spain, England and Scotland, could be encouraged to breakaway, to form a new ethical and transparent governing body to challenge to FIFA.

Football is a game that has significant power as a force for good in the world, but which needs to refrain from corrupt practices. Therefore it is imperative that FIFA does not tolerate or belittle discrimination in any form, and that it adapts in a transparent manner to modern social and ethical standards.