FIFA: GIANNI INFANTINO IS NEW PREZ

45-year-old Swiss shuts out Sheikh to win presidential poll 115-88

Infantino got 115 of the 207 eligible votes to win the poll

Zurich, Feb. 26: Gianni Infantino pulled off a stunning victory to take over as Fifa president on Friday.

The Swiss official received 115 of the 207 eligible votes in the second round to earn a decisive majority over Sheikh Salman of Bahrain, who had been the strong favourite entering the election.

The 45-year-old former lawyer saluted voters by patting his right hand over his heart, and had to compose himself before starting his acceptance speech.

“We will restore the image of Fifa and the respect of Fifa. And everyone in the world will applaud us,” Infantino said, referring to bribery and corruption investigations that have rocked football’s governing body and forced Sepp Blatter out of office after more than 17 years as president.

Sheikh Salman received 88 votes after being the front-runner during much of the four-month campaign. Prince Ali of Jordan had four votes, and Jerome Champagne of France got zero. In the first round, Infantino surprisingly led with 88 votes. Sheikh Salman had 85 votes, Prince Ali 27, and Champagne 7.

Infantino, the general secretary of European governing body UEFA, is the sec- ond straight Fifa president from the Valais region in the Swiss Alps. Infantino is from Brig and replaces Blatter, who was born in neighbouring Visp.

Infantino will be president through May 2019, completing the remainder of Blatter’s term.

Blatter was forced out by the pressure of American and Swiss investigations of corruption that hit Fifa two days before the previous election in May.