Africa proved it can host finals - Blatter

FIFA president Sepp Blatter delivered his final assessment on the World Cup yesterday, complimenting Africa for squashing doubts about its ability to organise the tournament.

Critics had feared that host country South Africa's high crime rate and poor public transport would jeopardise the World Cup, but the four-week tournament went off without any major problems.

"I would also like to give a compliment to Africa as a continent because Africa has proven that really they can organise this World Cup, they can organise a big competition," Blatter told a press conference the morning after the final.

"A big compliment to South Africa, a big compliment to the people of South Africa, a big compliment to the government of South Africa for all the guarantees they have given and met," he said.

"They can be proud," he added.

"The benefit and the compliments have to go to South Africa and not to FIFA."

Blatter gave the host country a nine out of 10 for its organisation of the tournament.

"I would say now they deserve a nine on 10, and a nine on 10 at the university level is a doctorate summa cum laude, so it's the highest," he said.

Blatter refused to comment on the rugged approach by Holland in Sunday's final against Spain.

"Even though I have seen all the irregularities as a spectator, I cannot answer this question as president of FIFA," he said.

"I could answer it as a fan of football but I am here as president.

"I will not make any comment but we always say football is school of life because it is based on discipline and respect. It's a combat game but in the spirit of fair play.

"You have to learn to win and you have to learn to lose, and should not forget the basis which is discipline and respect."

Blatter was asked whether referee Howard Webb should have shown a red card to Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong. He replied: "In football we have to live with the errors of players, and of referees. I don't think perfection exists in this world."