Leading FIFA presidential contender Gianni Infantino defended his plan to give over $1 billion back to national federations in his final manifesto plea before today’s vote.
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Prince Ali received four votes in the second round and Champagne did not receive any. He polled 115 votes in the second round, while Sheikh Salman got 88.
Sheikh Salman had been the favourite to succeed disgraced Sepp Blatter because of support from the large Asia and Africa camps, but Infantino pulled of the surprise win.
The 2016 Fifa Extraordinary Congress to elect a new president of world football’s governing body takes place on 26 February at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland.
A second round of voting to select Fifa’s next president was underway earlier this evening after no candidate was elected outright in the first round.
The reforms include a new top board, 12-year term limits for the president and senior officials, as well as disclosure of their pay.
Sexwale, a businessman and former anti-apartheid activist, withdrew at the end of a lively, amusing and unscripted speech to the 207 eligible voters.
Japan, South Korea, China, North Korea, Hong Kong, Guam, Taiwan, Macau and Mongolia – who together comprise the East Asian Football Federation – are the latest nations to say they will vote for the Bahraini in the five-man election.
“We stand united in our determination to put things right, so that the focus can return to football once again”, said acting Fifa president Issa Hayatou.
The Swiss-Italian spoke in several languages without notes and portrayed himself as a leader for the world, not just his own wealthy confederation.
In December, Blatter was banned from the organization for eight years due to a controversial payment to Michel Platini in 2002.
Human rights groups have accused him Sheikh Salman of committing unlawful activities; however, he has strongly denied involvement in any wrongdoing.
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He has served as the general secretary of the Union of European Football Associations since 2009. “This reform package will provide the foundation for the new president and the new leadership on which to build for the future”.
