Gianni Infantino wins FIFA presidential elections in Zurich Switzerland

The UEFA General Secretary wins in second round with 115 out of 207 votes.

Gianni Infantino wins FIFA presidential elections held at the Hallenstadion in Zurich Switzerland during the Extraordinary FIFA Congress 2016. In an attempt to prevent corruption, individual countries also voted on reforms at FIFA, the world soccer's governing body. A total of 207 nations voted in Zurich.

Gianni Infantino is a Swiss national whom by the time of FIFA elections was the general secretary of UEFA ( http://www.uefa.org ), a position he held since 2009.

To follow Gianni Infantino activities, visit his social media pages. His Twitter page is: https://www.twitter.com/Gianni_2016

Gianni Infantino won the elections in the second ballot after failing to have an outright winner in first ballot. The FIFA presidential elections requirement for one to be to be declared winner should poll more than 50% votes.

During the second round of voting, he was elected the new president of FIFA polling 115 votes against his rival Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa who polled 88 total votes. This technically mean Gianni Infantino scored more than 56% votes becoming the FIFA boss.

Earlier on, South Africa Tokyo Sexwale withdrew from contesting in FIFA elections before commencement of FIFA voting in Zurich leaving 4 contestants. Gianni Infantino and Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa were the favorites to clinch the win.

Related information about Gianni Infantino

Age : Born on March 23 1970,

45 years old by the time of FIFA presidential elections.

Soccer activities : UEFA general secretary.

Career : Lawyer from Switzerland (Brig Switzerland). Said to be located less than 6 miles from Visp, the former FIFA president Sepp Blatters home in Switzerland.

Gianni Infantino entered into FIFA elections following Michel Plattinis position being barred from participating in FIFA elections

Earlier Events as they happened before final election date.

The Extraordinary FIFA Congress 2016 was held to vote in a new FIFA president after the former president Sepp Blatter was forced to resign following corruption allegations in soccer governing body FIFA.

Gianni Infantino has background match with Sepp Blatter in that they are both Europeans and Swiss nationals coming from a distance of less than 6Km apart and are both smooth talking individuals.

January, Friday 22 2016: UEFA executive committee unanimously backs Gianni Infantino.

UEFA executive committee holds a meeting in the house of European football Nyon Ratifying Backing of Giannis candidature for FIFA president 2016. (Source: http://www.uefa.org ).

Gianni Infantinos victory speech after becoming FIFA president

In complete disbelief that he had clinched the position, Infantino speech was dedicated to restoring FIFA and football to glory, reinstall the image of FIFA and work with all.

Many soccer greats across the world received Infantinos election with optimism about FIFA. The optimism came across many soccer greats such as Former England player Garry lineker, Former Portugal player Luis Figo, Germany, Europe and were all congratulation messages.

How soccer Federations across the world took shape towards FIFA elections

Gianni received overwhelming support from Central American federation (Central American football union - UNCAF), several European federations and several European nations while his rival Sheikh Salman received overwhelming support from Asian Confederation and Asian countries.

The last minute withdrawal of South Africans Sexwale candidature from FIFA elections also meant his support was more open to other leading candidates.

On February 5, 2016, Confederation of African football (CAF) had declared support for prince Salman with its 54 voting rights.

However, On February 8, 2016, 26 African nations unofficially stated that they wont be supporting Sheik Salma's presidential bid.

By the time of FIFA elections 2016, Salman is the head of Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

List of global football federations

FIFA Confederations

FIFA-member football associations are formed together into continental confederations, which organize continental national and club competitions.

• AFC- Asian Football - Founded in 1954 and represents Asian nations in football, hosting the Asian Cup tournament.
• CAF - Confédération Africaine de Football - Founded in 1957 and represents African nations in football, hosting African Cup of Nations tournament.
• CONCACAF - Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football - Founded in 1961 and represents North American, Central American and Caribbean nations in football, hosting CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.
• CONMEBOL - Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol - Founded in 1916 and represents South American nations in football, hosting Copa America tournament.
• OFC - Oceania Football Confederation - Founded in 1966 and represents Oceanian nations in football, hosting OFC Nations Cup tournament.
• UEFA - Union of European Football Associations - Founded in 1954 and represents European nations in football, hosting UEFA European Championship.

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