The 67-year-old, president of the Ligue du Football Amateur since 2005, had been widely expected to succeed Jean-Pierre Escalettes, whose resignation was accepted at a July 2 meeting of the FFF's federal council but stayed on until a successor could be found.

That meeting dissolved with no agreement reached between Duchaussoy and his counterpart at the Ligue de Football Professionel, Frederic Thiriez, but Duchaussoy - the sole candidate - was unanimously elected to the role at today's meeting.

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"I'm honoured by the confidence that has been entrusted in me, even more so because it has been confirmed by all of the elements that make up French football," said Duchaussoy.

"I am however bitter at succeeding my friend Jean-Pierre Escalettes during a black period in French football, affected by a sporting morale crisis.

"A sporting crisis caused by the disastrous run of the France team in South Africa but also a morale crisis without precedent, which led to the resignation of Jean-Pierre Escalettes.

"I am perfectly conscious of the seriousness of the situation and the responsibility which lies with me. I'm perfectly conscious of the necessity for a deep reform.

"I'm perfectly conscious of the scale of the task that awaits me and my team."

Duchaussoy has vowed to reform in particular the FFF statutes and the organisation itself, as he attempts to modify the way French football's governing body runs the sport and their relations among themselves and with the media.

He has also promised to perform a thorough investigation in France's disastrous World Cup campaign and will come down hard on those judged to be responsible.

As well as reaffirming Escalettes' decision to set up a three-man team to look into the players' actions, Duchaussoy will interrogate former coach Raymond Domenech.

"With regards to the players, a committee of three members has been named," continued Duchaussoy. "They will give their conclusions to the Federal board, who will call upon if necessary the disciplinary commission, the only body able to impose sanctions.

"With Jacques Lambert, I will meet Raymond Domenech in the coming days. Unacceptable actions, opposite to the code of ethics, have been committed. I will reproach him about a certain number of things and bring forth the consequences.

"In our present governance, the responsibility of the Federal board, including mine, is in question. We were wrong and let a situation develop of which the culmination was June 20 and the bus of shame.

"I can look you right in your eyes and vow that will never happen again, because we have all the cards in our hands to bounce back."

With that in mind Duchaussoy knows his most important task is to restore confidence in the France team.

He added: "Above all the reforms that may be put into place, I am very much aware that my first responsibility is to restore confidence: confidence in football, confidence in the federation, confidence in those who wear our colours.

"You can't just order confidence, you have to earn it."

Duchaussoy's mandate runs until December 18 and the next Federal assembly, although his tenure could very well be extended.