Toronto's Mayor Rob Ford, addressing reporters amid swirling accusations of alcoholism, drug abuse and the use of prostitutes, changed the subject to football as he exited a Thursday morning press conference.

Ford promised a win for the home-town Toronto Argonauts in the CFL East Division final but fumbled when it came to knowing the name of the mayor of Hamilton.

"I want to call Mayor Britannia in Hamilton and tell him that we're going to have to spank their little Tiger-Cats," Ford told a swarm of reporters, many who seem baffled by comments. 

Ford is a noted football fan who played during his high school days and later coached the Don Bosco Eagles team. Last year he spoke at victory parade after the Argonauts captured the Grey Cup.

As for the drug and prostitution allegations, Ford called them "outright lies," and said he will sue the staffers who made them.

The Tiger-Cats take on the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL Eastern Final game at 1 p.m. on Sunday.