3 Mar 2016

Sport: Oceania backs new FIFA President Gianni Infantino

12:38 pm on 3 March 2016

Oceania countries say Gianni Infantino is the right choice to lead the reform of football's world governing body.

The Swiss was elected FIFA President at the weekend, replacing the suspended Sepp Blatter, who had been in charge since 1998.

New FIFA president Gianni Infantino reacts after winning the presidential election during the extraordinary FIFA Congress in Zurich on 26 February 2016.

New FIFA president Gianni Infantino reacts after winning the presidential election during the extraordinary FIFA Congress in Zurich on 26 February 2016. Photo: AFP

All five of the Presidential candidates made a final pitch to Oceania members on the eve of Saturday's vote.

The President of the Tonga Football Association, Lord Ve'ehala, said Gianni Infantino deserved his election.

"Mr Infantino had a better, clearer strategy than the others and he made it very very clear how to develop football and the reform of the organisation. I think it will be much better for us to have somebody that does know the administration a lot, coming from UEFA and it seems he has the right ingedients to develop on football in the years to come."

New Zealand and Vanuatu are among the other OFC countries to confirm they voted for Mr Infantino, who travelled to Oceania Football's executive meeting in Papua New Guinea in November.