David Beckham is the latest footballer to criticise Fifa president Sepp Blatter, calling his remarks on racism "appalling".
The former England captain said said "I think the comments were appalling," after Blatter suggested racism could be settled with a handshake.
"I don't think the comments were very good for this game. [Racism] can't be swept under the carpet and it can't be sorted out with just a handshake."
Arguing that the 75-year-old president's suggestions undermined the FA's efforts to eradicate racism from the game, he added:
"I have no power over who goes or stays within Fifa and I don't wish to have, but there obviously is racism throughout soccer and life.
"Being around the England team I have seen the FA do a lot of work towards kicking racism out of the game, they have made huge strides in the last 10 or 15 years but it is still there."
Fifa president Sepp Blatter is facing pressure to resign after an interview with CNN in which he said: "I would deny it. There is no racism [in football]."
"Maybe one of the players has a word or a gesture which is not the correct one, but the one who is affected by that, he should say that 'this is a game'," he said.
"We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake hands, and this can happen, because we have worked so hard against racism and discrimination.
"I think the whole world is aware of the efforts we are making against racism and discrimination. And, on the field of play sometimes you say something that is not very correct, but then at the end of the game, the game is over and you have the next game where you can behave better."
Blatter has faced widespread criticism of his comments from fans, sportspeople and officials, particularly in England. In Europe, however, the reaction has been notably more muted.
Gordon Taylor, the Professional Footballers' Association chief executive told the BBC's Today Programme that the comments were just the latest in a series of gaffes and suggested Blatter should step aside.
"I just feel it's the straw that broke the camel's back," he said.
"When you see the corruption they've had at Fifa, the comments he made about homosexuals not going to Qatar, the way he talked about women's football, the style of the arrangements for the World Cup, the fact he won't have technology."
He added: "I think it's really time to move over for Michel Platini."
UK sports minister Hugh Robertson also said Blatter should go.
“Sepp Blatter’s comments are completely unacceptable. This is the latest episode that calls into question whether this man should be the head of world football.
"For the sake of the game, he should go. We have been consistent in our calls for improved governance at Fifa and this underlines the need for that once more. We must never be complacent in our efforts to tackle racism. There is no place or excuse for it either on or off the pitch.”
England footballer Rio Ferdinand described Blatter's comments as "so condescending it's almost laughable". In a back-and-forth exchange with the Fifa president, he repeatedly refused to accept Blatter's explanation of his comments.
"If fans shout racist chants but shake our hands is that ok?" he asked Blatter on Twitter, later adding that his comments "spoke volumes of your ignorance to the subject".
Blackburn Rovers' Jason Roberts said he was "disgusted" by the Fifa president's comments.
"I'm truly shocked by his comments," he said. "For him to say this in public is either very honest or very foolish.
"I am absolutely disgusted, lost for words, I cannot believe he has said something like that with all the issues that have gone on. I am absolutely fuming."
Read the highlights of Ferdinand and Blatter's argument below:
Following a public outcry Blatter said he had been "misunderstood" and was committed to tackling racism in the game.
"I would like to make it very clear, I am committed to the fight against racism and any type of discrimination in football and in society," he said in a statement.
Blatter's comments are particularly ill-timed as they came moments before the English FA announced it would charge Liverpool striker Luis Suarez with racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
While England captain John Terry is also under investigation as to whether he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, Rio's brother, during a game.
It is not the first time the Fifa president has gotten himself in to trouble by making controversial remarks.
After Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup Blatter said gay fans should "should refrain from any sexual activities" when visiting the country as homosexuality is illegal there.
In 2004, he suggested women wear "tighter shorts" to increase the popularity of women's football.