(ATR) FIFA elects Gianni Infantino to replace disgraced president Sepp Blatter in an unexpected turn of events.
UEFA secretary general Infantino defeated expected frontrunner Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, former FIFA vice president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan and former FIFA executive Jerome Champagne. South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale pulled out of the race after delivering a 15-minute speech to the FIFA Congress preceding the vote.
Infantino led all candidates with 88 votes after one round of voting, causing a look of shock and surprise to overcome Sheikh Salman who garnered 85. Since neither frontrunner reached the required 138 votes to win in the first round, the process was restarted with a new required total of 104.
Despite Prince Ali and Champagne only managing 27 and seven votes respectively, both contenders opted to stay in the race for the second round.
Although Infantino was regarded as one of the frontrunners along with Sheikh Salman, he was not expected to be leading after the first round. Infantino expanded his lead in the second round, earning 115 votes to win the presidency. Sheikh Salman only earned three more votes in the second round to bring his total to 88.
Infantino will hold a press conference momentarily where he will answer questions on how he plans to turn around the culture of corruption at FIFA.
Prior to the election, FIFA's member associations approved a sweeping range of reforms by a vote of 179 to 22. The reforms are aimed at cleaning up an organization that has been plagued by corruption over the years.
Around the Rings European Editor Mark Bisson is in Zurich covering the election and will have much more on Infantino's victory and closing press conference shortly.
Written by Kevin Nutley
For general comments or questions,click here.
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
Últimas Noticias
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
The IOC says issues concerning governance, finance, and refereeing and judging must be sorted out to its satisfaction. AIBA says it’s confident that will happen and the federation will be reinstated.
McLaren report to FIBA confirms abuses in the Mali women’s basketball program
The investigation could not “independently verify” allegations against FIBA president Hamane Niang, who has resumed his duties after stepping aside during the probe.
ATR Extra: 1st ISF U15 World School Sport Games – Belgrade 2021
Olympic Channel is live streaming the basketball, basketball 3x3, football, judo and wrestling competitions during the event, which runs September 11-19.
International Judo Federation bans Algerian athlete and coach for 10 years for refusing to fight an Israeli at Tokyo 2020
Judoka Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef admitted they were withdrawing from competition to avoid a potential match with Tohar Butbul of Israel.
IIHF bans Belarus hockey president for five years for code of conduct violations - Federation Focus
Also: no contested election for next ITTF president; BWF calendar shrinks as event in India cancelled due to pandemic; FISU announces early bids for 2027 and 2029 World University Games
