FIFA elected on Friday Gianni Infantino to replace disgraced president Sepp Blatter in an unexpected turn of events. UEFA secretary general Gianni 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.
The five contenders for the FIFA throne pitched the regional confederations in Zurich on Thursday in a last-ditch plea for votes in Friday’s election. Sheikh Salman, Gianni Infantino, Prince Ali, Jerome Champagne and Tokyo Sexwale made their appeals to CONCACAF, UEFA and Oceania congresses staged at various hotels in the Swiss city where Sepp Blatter’s successor will be 26 February.
Jerome Champagne has entered the race to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA president, his second attempt in a year. The former FIFA deputy secretary general announced his intentions on Friday, three days before the deadline for candidacies.
Former Portugal star Luis Figo has announced he will stand for the FIFA presidency. The 42-year-old revealed his intentions in an interview with CNN, a day before the FIFA deadline for candidacies.
Former FIFA official Jerome Champagne has formally announced that he will stand against incumbent Sepp Blatter in next year's election for president of the world soccer body.