Gianni Infantino Becomes FIFA New President

Forum 8 years ago

Gianni Infantino Becomes FIFA New President

Gianni Infantino has become FIFA's ninth president after being elected in Zurich on Friday and has promised to 'restore a new era' to world football's governing body.

The FIFA presidential election on Friday entered a second round of voting for the first time in 42 years after Infantino of Switzerland secured more backing than pre-vote favourite Sheik Salman bin Ibrahim al Khalifa of Bahrain in the first round, when a two thirds majority was required to win.

A simple majority of more than 50 per cent - 104 votes - was sufficient for victory in the second round.

And Infantino secured 115 votes to Sheik Salman's 88 to become the second successive Swiss president after Sepp Blatter.

The 45-year-old lawyer is from Brig in the Valais region of Switzerland, about six miles from Blatter's hometown of Visp.

Blatter was first appointed in 1998 and had been voted in five times, including last May, but he stepped aside days later amid allegations which led to a six-year ban from football-related activity, which he is contesting.

His resignation prompted the world governing body's extraordinary congress in the most pivotal period of FIFA's 112-year history.

Blatter said after Infantino's victory that he hopes he 'has all the qualities to continue my work'.

He also praised his 'experience, expertise, strategic and diplomatic skills'.