Blatter back for four more years

Blatter, first appointed in 1998, stood unchallenged and was unanimously voted into office by acclamation at the 208-nation Fifa Congress in Zurich.

"It is with great joy when I hear that I have the confidence of the 57th Congress giving me the mandate as FIFA president from 2007 to 2011," said Blatter. "Thank you for your trust and putting me once again at the helm of this institution."

Before thanking delegates for giving him another term, he took the trouble to add his own voice to mounting criticism against McBeth.

The former Clyde chairman had been due to take up his post today but was replaced on Wednesday after an emergency meeting of the four home associations when English FA chairman Geoff Thompson was installed in his place after consultation with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Had the move not happened, the so-called automatic British seat, which has stood for 60 years, would have been left vacant for another 12 months amid fears it might end up being phased out altogether.

"I would like to congratulate the four British associations for their courageous decision not to highlight a member who has recently attacked the Caribbean and African countries in declarations which are totally negative and do not correspond to our concept of football," said Blatter.

Blatter also took the time to reiterate his stance that the 2010 World Cup would definitely be hosted by South Africa despite constant speculation that the country may not be ready. The Swiss recently suggested himself that the tournament might be switched if there was a natural catastrophe, comments that were reported worldwide, much to the apprehension of the organisers.

But Blatter made it absolutely clear that there was no chance of South Africa being replaced by a reserve host nation.

"There is no problem whatsoever," said Blatter. "There is a plan B, C and D and all of them are South Africa."