Speaking at the UEFA congress in Istanbul on Thursday, Blatter addressed several issues, including match-fixing.

Turkish giants Fenerbahce were withdrawn from the Champions League this season after several of the club's associates were the subject of a match-fixing investigation.

Blatter admitted  it was a serious problem in the game, but said the 'early warning system', which monitors suspicious betting patterns, FIFA had implemented with Interpol was working.

"There is something that concerns this region and that is illegal betting," Blatter said.

"We are working hard against the scourge of match-rigging which is undermining our sport.

"I am very happy that, together with UEFA and the other confederations, the early warning system we have been working on for one year very closely with Interpol is working.

"FIFA, UEFA and all the other confederations are not responsible for all the evils besetting our world but we must see to it that we stay alert."

Bahrain's 10-0 win over Indonesia on February 29 was the latest to come under investigation after the 'unusual outcome', which occurred with Englishman Peter Taylor's men needing a big win to have any chance of progressing from the third round of AFC World Cup qualifying.

In the Champions League in December last year, UEFA chose not to investigate Lyon's remarkable 7-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb that helped the French giants advance from Group D.

Meanwhile, Blatter described Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba's survival from a cardiac arrest as 'a miracle'.

Muamba's heart stopped beating for 78 minutes when he collapsed during his side's FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham on Saturday.

The 23-year-old remains in intensive care but is speaking to family and friends.

"It's a miracle. When I saw it on the television, it was terrible," Blatter said.

He added: "I had a phone call from Phil Gartside, the chairman of Bolton, and I have to say it was a very emotional call."