controversial election for the presidency of soccer's world governing body.

Bermuda Football Association general secretary David Sabir confirmed the Island had backed 62-year-old Blatter, who pulled off an upset with a crushing victory over Johannson in Paris just two days before the biggest World Cup in history.

Johannson's camp made claims of dirty tricks after independent counts by observers put the Swedish president of European governing body UEFA narrowly ahead on the eve of the poll. As it was Blatter secured 111 votes to his rival's 80 in the first round and Johannson conceded defeat.

He said afterwards: "Something happened to make them change their minds.'' What exactly happened is unclear but reports suggest that intense lobbying of the African football associations may have turned the tide in favour of the Swiss.

For Bermuda, however, it was never a two-horse race. The Island went along with CONCACAF's recommendation, said Sabir, to ensure continuity in the good relationship established with Joao Havelange, the outgoing president.

CONCACAF president Jack Warner, who, on a recent visit to Bermuda praised the steps the BFA had made in cleaning up Island soccer in the wake of the Miami Seven affair, had been critical of what he termed Johannson's "Eurocentric stance''.

Sabir said yesterday: "It's no secret that the football leaders in the European Confederation believe football in Europe to be the most powerful. But when you are talking about football you have to realise there are 203 countries involved and the vast majority are outside Europe. "Blatter has a passion for developing football in the smaller countries. He has a mission to raise the level around the world and a lot of those countries suffering from economic, social or political unrest want to use the game to help heal themselves.'' Sabir added that he had met Blatter on a couple of occasions, most recently in Chicago during the 1994 World Cup. "I found him very approachable. We even sat down and discussed the special needs of Bermuda,'' he said.

Initiatives the new president would put in place worldwide would trickle down to help Bermuda, he suggested.

He pointed to the $1 million in funding awarded to each association announced earlier this year, which would particularly help countries the size of Bermuda. "That will continue after each World Cup,'' he said.

"I also think he can help in the area of coaching and tactical advice. And one of his biggest goals is to bring football to every youth in the world.'' Johannson, however, had claimed that a vote for Blatter would be a vote for the continuation of an undemocratic regime. He had been a fervent critic of Havelange, who held the presidency for 24 years, accusing the Brazilian of running FIFA as his own personal fiefdom.

He also upset Havelange by refusing to simply accept his decisions at FIFA executive committee meetings.

The clash reached its climax last year when Havelange, who wanted Japan to host the 2002 World Cup, was defeated and had to agree to allow South Korea to co-host the event.

Johannson suffered an early blow to his candidacy when he made a racist joke, but had seemingly made his peace with the African Football Association, with president Issa Hayatou hoping to deliver most of the African votes to him.

But overnight on Sunday, it seems allegiances were switched.

England also shifted their support, infuriating Johannson, reportedly because Blatter favoured their bid for the 2006 finals, whereas the Swede backed Germany.

Blatter will hold the position for a term of four years.