Charlie Dempsey, pilloried for handing Germany the 2006 World Cup by refusing to vote for South Africa as instructed by the Oceania Football Confederation (OF), stepped down last night from his position as OFC president.

Clearly upset by the events following his controversial abstention at last week's 2006 World Cup vote in Zurich, the 78-year-old handed his daughter and OFC general secretary, Josephine King, a letter confirming his retirement.

Dempsey has also resigned from FIFA from all other committees of which he is a member.

Dempsey said his family had been under tremendous pressure since he returned from Zurich, where his abstention from the World Cup ballot effectively skittled South Africa's hopes of hosting the 2006 Cup.