PHOTOS: Police on hand as anti-Salman protesters arrive outside FIFA congress

While Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa made his final plea to the 207 member associations set to elect a new FIFA president Friday in Zurich, Switzerland, protesters converged outside the Hallenstadion – where FIFA’s extraordinary congress is taking place – to make a point of their opposition to the Bahraini candidate.

Human rights organizations claim that Sheikh Salman, considered the favourite to succeed Sepp Blatter as the kingpin of football’s governing body, had a hand in the imprisonment and torture of pro-democracy protesters – including athletes – as a means of curbing antigovernment protests against Bahrain’s al-Khalifa family in 2011.

Protesters here shouting “Al-Khalifa is a terrorist”, “Salman killer”, “Salman torture” #fifa #FIFAelection pic.twitter.com/oZWuFDKPf0

— FIFA News (@fifagame_news) February 26, 2016

Related: Human rights group asks FIFA to bar Sheikh Salman from presidential election

Swiss police watch anti-Salman protesters from Bahrain outside venue for #FIFA election. pic.twitter.com/3JlWWQoFU9

— Frank Jordans (@wirereporter) February 26, 2016

Related – Africa, Asia reaffirm FIFA backing for Sheikh Salman​

#FIFA #fifaelection Meanwhile across the street the Bahrain anti-Salman protestors stand with photos of victims pic.twitter.com/j2gbxLtt5u

— Declan Hill (@declan_hill) February 26, 2016

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