Zurich, May 29 (IANS): The FIFA Congress here received a bomb threat on Friday, which the Swiss police confirmed via Twitter.

The police said the anonymous bomb threat was made through a phone call to a Zurich-based newsroom and the room of the congress was thoroughly searched following the threat, reports rt.com.

"A search was carried out. The premises have been cleared by the authorities," FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke told the Congress after it resumed.

Journalists thereafter were also allowed back in the building. Authorities were alerted around 11 a.m. local time, police spokesman Marco Cortesi confirmed.

Local journalists reported that they were forced to leave their places at the venue.

Currently the FIFA presidential election is taking place with many calling for president Sepp Blatter to step down after the world football governing body was rocked on Wednesday following the arrest of some of its top officials.

However, Blatter is expected to retain his position and be re-elected for a fifth four-year term.