JOAO HAVELANGE has vowed to battle on for a seventh spell as FIFA president despite the decision to award Japan and South Korea the 2002 World Cup as cohosts against his wishes.

The idea was the brainchild of his arch rival within soccer's world governing body, UEFA chief Lennart Johansson. It is the first time in 72 years of World Cups that two countries have jointly held the tournament.

Havelange, who had always dismissed co hosting as impossible under FIFA's statutes, said his executive committee had the right to change the rules and had agreed to do so.

Coming as close as he could to accepting a personal defeat, he hinted he had only realised his position - that Japan should be awarded the finals - was untenable after arriving in Zurich and talking to executive committee members.