Gianni Infantino, a Swiss-Italian lawyer who can often be seen orchestrating a draw somewhere on the planet, is FIFA’s ninth president.
On Friday, at the Extraordinary FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland, 207 of the 209 member associations that comprise football’s governing body voted on a successor to Sepp Blatter, who was banned from all football-related activities for six years after making a “disloyal payment” to Michel Platini at FIFA’s expense in February 2011.
Related: FIFA Appeal Committee grants Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini reduction of sentences
After two rounds of balloting, Infantino – who’s been at UEFA for 15 years and became its general secretary in 2009 – emerged as FIFA’s new kingpin, receiving the majority of votes, despite having a relationship with Platini that didn’t help his candidacy.
Last time Fifa vote needed a 2nd round was 1974. Which ushered in Havelange and the era of proper, grown-up corruption and graft
— Ian Prior (@ianprior) February 26, 2016
Infantino entered the race for FIFA’s presidency in November after Platini was provisionally banned from all football-related activities. He unveiled a 90-day reform plan at the beginning of February and will push for an increase in the number of national teams at the World Cup from 32 to 40.
In addition to the support of the majority of FIFA’s member associations, Infantino received the backing of a number of notable footballers, both former and current, in the buildup to the election.
Tomorrow is the day to change football. Good luck dear friend @Gianni_2016, you have my support to take FIFA forward.
— Luís Figo (@LuisFigo) February 25, 2016
This is the right time to give football a new opportunity. @gianni_2016 represents a new future for FIFA, good luck for tomorrow my friend!
— Gianluigi Buffon (@gianluigibuffon) February 25, 2016
“Europe has to do much more … we have to break down the walls that exist in football,” Infantino said at the FIFA Extraordinary Congress, according to the Guardian. “I am committed to do much more … and this will be done as of tomorrow. Europe is the continent that forged me, where I was given the chance to work. That’s why, when I speak about figures, I know what I speak about. When I’ve been managing UEFA the revenues have gone up nearly three times, in a time of financial crisis.
“The money of FIFA is your money, not the money of the FIFA president. If we develop football with FIFA’s money the world will look at us and applaud us. We have to speak again about football – of course we have to implement the reforms … but then we have to develop football, and for this we need a strong leader and a strong leadership. A leader alone, however, cannot do anything, so I need you.
“My pledge to you is let’s bring FIFA forward together.”
Gianni Infantino calls it “Oceania’s 11”. He has my vote.
— Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) February 26, 2016
By virtue of the reform package that was passed at the congress, Infantino will be limited to a maximum of three terms in office.
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