Blatter consolidates power in FIFA

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has destroyed any remaining opposition to his power by sacking his main critic and forcing legal action against him to be dropped.

Blatter secured the sacking of general-secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen, the chief organiser of the World Cup, who will leave his position once the tournament is over.

He also forced his opponents within FIFA to drop fraud charges they brought against him in a Swiss court. The moves mean that Blatter, who was re-elected as FIFA president with an overwhelming majority on Wednesday, is now in total control of the organisation.