Reports that Nelson Mandela is being pressurised by FIFA to attend the World Cup final just underlines many people’s perception of the organisation – a money-grabbing self-important outfit which believes nothing can be allowed to stand in its way, not even an ailing 91-year-old.

It’s a common opinion FIFA’s big guns want to cap what they claim is a hugely successful tournament with the media-grabbing picture of them next to Mandela. It would be sure to make the front pages of newspapers across the world, all the more so after a family tragedy meant he stayed away from the opening ceremony.

If Mandela attends it should be because he wants to, for himself and his country, and not because attention-seeking administrators think it would be a great photo opportunity.