Switzerland's Sepp Blatter has been re-elected as world football's governing body's president in an uncontested election.

Blatter, who became president in 1998, said his new tenure, which began at the 57th annual FIFA congress here on Thursday, showed that the world of football had confidence in him.

"I'm happy to win this election as the only candidate and it shows the football world has confidence in me," he said. Referring to former alleged corruption within FIFA, he added: "To bring up old stories, that's not good.

"But from now on you can hit out at me as you wish."

He added that he was still favoured rotating the World Cup finals among the continents and said women's football would get bigger and bigger.

When asked why there were no women on FIFA's powerful executive committee, Blatter said: "It's not a good situation but remember the members are elected by the confederations. All we could do is create a place reserved for a women."

FIFA executive committee following FIFA Congress

President: Jospeh Blatter (SUI)

Vice-presidents: Julio Grondona (ARG), Issa Hayatou (CMR), Mong Joon Chung (KOR), Jack Warner (TRI), Angel Maria Villar Llona (ESP), Michel Platini (FRA), Reynald Temarii (TAH), Geoff Thompson (ENG)

Members: Michel D'Hooghe (BEL), Ricardo Teixeira (BRA), Mohamed Bin Hammam (QAT), Senes Erzik (TUR), Chuck Blazer (USA), Worawi Makudi (THA), Nicolas Leoz (PAR), Viacheslav Koloskov (RUS), Junji Ogura (JPN), Slim Chiboub (TUN), Amos Adamu (NGR), Marios Lefkaritis (CYP), Jacques Anouma (CIV), Franz Beckenbauer (GER), Rafael Salguero (GUA)

General secretary: Urs Linsi (SUI)

(CRIENGLISH.com via AFP June 1, 2007)