Sporting world pays tribute to Nelson Mandela

World's sports icons have paid tributes to former South African President Nelson Mandela, who passed away last night following recurring lung infection.

Mandela had used sport to bring his country together following strict racial segregation by his predecessors, the BBC reports.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter led the sporting tributes to his "dear friend," saying that he and Mandela shared an unwavering belief in the extraordinary power of football to unite people.

Blatter announced that there would be a minute's silence as a mark of respect to Mandela ahead of the next round of international matches for his last-longing impact on football's 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The 1995 Rugby World Cup became the showcase event for Mandela's unifying agenda in South Africa, after he became president in 1994, the report added.

A minute's silence was observed before the start of play on day two of the second Ashes Test between Australia and England in Adelaide, just hours after Mandela's death was announced.