FIFA 'pressurising' Madiba

London - Nelson Mandela's family claim that FIFA has put "extreme pressure" on South Africa's former president to attend the World Cup final.

The 91-year-old anti-apartheid icon has kept a low profile during the monthlong tournament, having decided against attending the opening game on June 11 following the death of his great granddaughter.

Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, told BBC Radio the family has "come under extreme pressure from FIFA requiring and wishing that my grandfather be at the final" on Sunday between Spain and the Netherlands at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

Mandla added that FIFA should "understand we've had a loss in the family and we are in mourning, and that for me would be enough reason to leave the family to be for now."