FIFA president Sepp Blatter has raised eyebrows again by joking gay people should simply not have sex during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to avoid any possible punishment.

Qatar will be the first Middle Eastern and first Arab country to host a World Cup, and also the smallest nation.

Asked whether gays and lesbians should worry about attending the World Cup in Qatar because of its hostile attitude towards homosexuality, a smiling Blatter quipped: "They should refrain from any sexual activities."

He swiftly went on to say FIFA would not tolerate any form of discrimination and that he was sure everyone would be able to attend and enjoy the World Cup in Qatar.

"We are definitely living in a world of freedom and I'm sure when the World Cup will be in Qatar in 2022, there will be no problems," said Blatter who was in Johannesburg to promote the legacy of the game in South Africa following the 2010 tournament.

"You see in the Middle East the opening of this culture, it's another culture because it's another religion, but in football we have no boundaries.

"We open everything to everybody and I think there shall not be any discrimination against any human beings be it on this side or that side, be it left, right or whatever."

"I think there is too much concern for a competition that will be done only in 12 years.

"What we want is just to open this game to everybody and open it to all cultures and this is what we are doing in 2022."

- ABC/Reuters