Gianni Infantino (45) has been elected the new president of football’s governing body FIFA. The former Secretary General of UEFA succeeds the suspended Sepp Blatter (79), ending his 17-year tenure at the head of world football.
“FIFA experienced difficult moments, moments of crisis, but that is over now,” said Infantino. “We would like the respect of the entire world. We will work committedly so that we can concentrate on this wonderful game again.”
Koch: “Voting for Infantino shows courage and provides hope”
“We are happy and relieved that Gianni Infantino has won and that European football can continue its strong influence,” said DFB vice president Rainer Koch. “Together with the reform package, this shows courage and provides hope for a better future, but there is still a lot to do.”
Infantino triumphed against rival Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa of Bahrain (50) in the second round of voting at the Hallenstadion in Zurich. He won with an outright majority after receiving 115 of the 207 votes cast. 88 delegates voted for Sheikh Salman. Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein (40), who finished with four votes, and Jerome Champagne (57), who received none in the second round of voting, were never likely to win. In the first round of voting, none of the four remaining candidates achieved the necessary two-thirds majority to claim victory. 62-year-old South African Tokyo Sexwale had earlier withdrawn his candidacy before the delegates began voting.
Gianni Infantino (45) has been elected the new president of football’s governing body FIFA. The former Secretary General of UEFA succeeds the suspended Sepp Blatter (79), ending his 17-year tenure at the head of world football.
“FIFA experienced difficult moments, moments of crisis, but that is over now,” said Infantino. “We would like the respect of the entire world. We will work committedly so that we can concentrate on this wonderful game again.”
Koch: “Voting for Infantino shows courage and provides hope”
“We are happy and relieved that Gianni Infantino has won and that European football can continue its strong influence,” said DFB vice president Rainer Koch. “Together with the reform package, this shows courage and provides hope for a better future, but there is still a lot to do.”
Infantino triumphed against rival Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa of Bahrain (50) in the second round of voting at the Hallenstadion in Zurich. He won with an outright majority after receiving 115 of the 207 votes cast. 88 delegates voted for Sheikh Salman. Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein (40), who finished with four votes, and Jerome Champagne (57), who received none in the second round of voting, were never likely to win. In the first round of voting, none of the four remaining candidates achieved the necessary two-thirds majority to claim victory. 62-year-old South African Tokyo Sexwale had earlier withdrawn his candidacy before the delegates began voting.
