FIFA Announce Swiss International Gianni Infantino as New President
For the past year FIFA has been surrounded with controversy that has put the soccer world on pause in hope for a new leader and direction to maintain the credibility and honor of the beautiful game. FIFA Congress met in Zurich today as they elected a new president aiming to restore the image of the world’s largest soccer organization.
Soccer News – Gianni Infantino has been announced as President of FIFA for the remainder of the current term of office that concludes in 2019 as the election took place today in Zurich.
Infantino was elected as the ninth FIFA President by the Extraordinary FIFA Congress following the second ballot that included 115 of 207 total votes. The mandate of the new FIFA President began after the conclusion of the Congress in coordination with FIFA Statuses.
The UEFA Secretary General received 27 more ballots than Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa who finished second. Prince Ali bin al-Hussein finished third receiving four votes while Jerome Champagne received zero in the election.
Infantino is a 45-year-old lawyer from Brig in the Valais region of Switzerland who jumped in the race after it was clear Michel Platini could not stand.
The Swiss international will look to bring respect and credibility back to the renowned football organization as he takes over following Sepp Blatter’s controversial jurisdiction as president.
“We will restore the image of FIFA and the respect of FIFA and everyone in the world will applaud us. They will applaud all of you for what we’ll do.”
Source: FIFA
