ZURICH. Switzerland. July 6: FIFA president Sepp Blatter was left fighting for his political life here on Thursday after he failed to deliver the 2006 World Cup to Africa, reports AFP.

"This is the beginning of the end for Blatter." said a highly-placed FIFA member.

"So much the better," added a Moroccan delegate who had seen his country go out in the first round of voting.

The 63-year-old Blatter had staked everything on South Africa winning 2006 — it was African delegates who had played a major role in his election to the most powerful Job in football two years ago in Paris.

But Blatter, despite Intense lobbying of several of the 24-man FIFA executive committee, fell short when they voted 12-11 to give football's most prestigious tournament to Germany and Europe.

New Zealand's Charlie Dempsey, who had been widely tipped to vote for South Africa in the third and final round abstained. If he had voted. Blatter would have been called to give the casting vote.

Instead, the former employee of a Swiss watch company was left to contemplate the fact that time was running out in what could be the shortest presidency in FIFA history.

But Blatter, ever the consummate politician, immediately began an exercise in damage limitation and started trying to woo back Africa by placing the blame firmly on his executive committee.

"We have to work hard and convince the world that It is the future for Africa to host a World Cup. We have to trust Africa, we have to take the risk. he announced afterwards.

"I want that my colleagues follow me at the next World Cup because I will fight for Africa," he added.

Blatter is a wily politician who masterminded an all-conquering campaign against European rival Lennart Johansson for Joao Havelange's job.

When the vote was announced at the FIFA Congress. Johansson sat stunned, unable to comprehend the crushing defeat he had suffered at the hands of the former FIFA secretary general.

But executive committee members warn that Blatter is no Havelange.

The Brazilian ran FIFA with an Iron fist and his wishes were

carried out.

The atmosphere with Blatter in charge is much better. Everyone is allowed to have their say. It is more democratic." said one European member. ’That is his weakness."

Proof of that came nearly 12 months ago to the day at the FIFA congress in Los Angeles when the Asia members walked out in protest of the number of spots they had been given for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

A year later Blatter had still failed to heal the wounds.