Blatter told the Schweizer Illustrierte magazine he had been shocked by the jeering and whistling that accompanied the playing of the Swiss anthem before the World Cup playoff against Turkey in Istanbul on November 16.

"That was so disrespectful and a slur on a nation's pride," he said. "It makes me wonder if it makes any sense continuing to play national anthems."

Blatter said that FIFA was looking into the possibility of discontinuing the practice.

Tensions between the Turkish and Swiss teams started in the first leg in Bern on November 12 when the visitors were angered by the home crowd jeering the playing of their anthem.

Switzerland won that match 2-0 and in the return leg four days later they hung on to reach the World Cup finals in a match that ended in fighting between the two sides as they entered the tunnel to the dressing rooms.

FIFA is examining the incidents and Blatter has said they will come down hard on anyone found guilty of involvement in the disturbances.

"As soon as you have overt nationalism mixed in with passion and emotion, it becomes an explosive situation," he said. "That is why we are considering doing away with the anthems."

Blatter also said that FIFA would consider playing such powderkeg games as Turkey against Switzerland at neutral venues where the tensions could be better contained.