Pretoria - The president of football's controlling body FIFA Joseph Blatter said Thursday that the fourth official would no longer have access to television monitors.

Egyptian officials and players claimed that referee Howard Webb was told by the fourth official during the Confederations Cup Group B match between Egypt and Brazil that an Egyptian player had handled the ball on the line and that he had used a television monitor to come to the conclusion.

Addressing a press conference ahead of Thursday's match between Brazil and the US in the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria Blatter said that no television monitor had been used to reach a decision in the game.

"That notwithstanding, television monitors will no longer be available to the fourth official. This was the case in Wednesday's matches and will be the case from now on."

He said that he continued to be against the use of video evidence during the game.

"During the Europa League this season, we will be stationing two officials on the goalline to monitor the goalline and the penalty area. We will then see how this works."

In response to the disappointing crowds at the Confederations Cup matches Blatter would not commit himself whether FIFA would be giving away tickets to ensure that the stadiums were full.

"It is not a FIFA principle to give away tickets for free, but it is a principle to give away tickets if people can't afford them. It is about flexibility and solidarity.

"We are going to appeal to the organizing committee to ensure that the stadiums are filled."

Blatter said that he was very happy with the organization of the tournament. "The feedback we have had from the eight participating teams has been very complimentary. They are very happy with the way they are being treated."

He said he had also been impressed with the way the South African team had played in their 2-0 victory against New Zealand. "We want the host nation to do well at the World Cup and with the technical skill that Bafana showed against New Zealand, they can do well."

On the question of the vuvuzelas (plastic trumpets), which have been criticised by some for being too loud, Blatter said that he can't see how a local flavour like that could be banned.

"I have heard that the Italian coach Marcello Lippi said that they were something new and that his players would simply have to get used to them." (dpa)