LABOUR MP Clive Efford yesterday branded the idea of Sepp Blatter being nominated for a Nobel Prize “ridiculous.”

Efford took to Twitter after Russian president Vladimir Putin said that the former head of Fifa deserved to be nominated for the prestigious award.

And Efford laughed off the idea, saying: “Nothing could be more ridiculous than Sepp Blatter being nominated for the Nobel Prize other than a nomination for Vladimir Putin.”

Blatter announced he was stepping down from his role as president just days after being re-elected for a record fifth time in June.

But Putin, who met Blatter over the weekend, felt that he should be rewarded for his work done in football and not hounded out of office for his alleged role in the corruption crisis which includes the awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia.

He said: “We all know the situation developing around Mr Blatter right now. I don’t want to go into details but I don’t believe a word about him being involved in corruption personally.

“I think people like Mr Blatter or the heads of big international sporting federations, or the Olympic Games, deserve special recognition. If there is anyone who deserves the Nobel prize, it’s those people.”

Elsewhere in Fifa, Uefa president Michel Platini is set to annonce his plans to run for Fifa president.

The 60-year-old Platini is the favourite to succeed Blatter in the election on February 26 after gaining the backing of four of the six Fifa confederations, including the powerful Asia block.

Platini has publicly stated he voted for Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup, and although the award of that tournament to the Gulf state has caused huge controversy, in Fifa terms his backing for Qatar is likely to be an advantage.

A credible opponent to Platini has yet to emerge — former Argentina player Diego Maradona and ex-Brazil player Zico have both stated they want to stand but neither would command significant support.