Blatter said the organisation of football needed to correspond closer to the outside world and set the standard of refereeing and the battle against violence in the sport as his biggest challenges ahead.

But the Swiss also had words of support for the beleagured organising committee of the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.

Asked what his aims in his third term would be, Blatter said: "The organisation of football needs to be more professional and in particular FIFA needs to correspond to the outside world.

"It's not enough to have one or two commissions looking after a sport that concerns two or three billion people." Blatter also poured scorn on worries that the World Cup in 2010 would have to be moved from South Africa.

"We are following every stage and everything is going smoothly," he said. "I am confident, FIFA is confident and the only thing that will stop us from holding the World Cup in South Africa would be a natural disaster.

"Plans B and C involve South Africa," he added.

He said that 40 million dollars would be put into improving refereeing over the next four years, while revealing that a test with four linesmen instead of two would be held at a junior tournament.

On the question of violence in the sport, Blatter seemed to pass the buck a little.

"Security is not an issue for football but one for governments. However, comfort in the stadiums is an affair for football, as has been demonstrated in England.

"Hooligans come and misbehave on the continent because over here there is still the possibility of exploiting and using football."