29 Oct 2015

Seven candidates for FIFA presidency

12:10 pm on 29 October 2015

Seven candidates will stand in FIFA's presidential election on February 26th.

The candidates are: Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Musa Bility, Jerome Champagne, Gianni Infantino, Michel Platini, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa and Tokyo Sexwale.

FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland 2011. FIFA President Sepp Blatter with Prince Ali bin al-Hussein - FIFA vice-president of Jordan.

Sepp Blatter (right) with Prince Ali bin al-Hussein at a 2011 FIFA Congress. Photo: Photosport

Trinidadian ex-footballer David Nakhid was not included on the list, despite saying he had submitted his candidacy.

The election is to find a successor to the suspended Sepp Blatter, who is under criminal investigation.

The Swiss 79-year-old announced he would be stepping down in June, with world football's governing body at the centre of a corruption scandal.

Platini, the head of European football's governing body, is also suspended, but Fifa's electoral committee says it may allow him to stand if his ban ends before the election date.

FIFA and Swiss prosecutors are investigating reports that a $2.5 million payment was made in 2011 for work Platini did as Blatter's adviser.

Both men deny any wrongdoing and are appealing against their 90-day bans.

All candidates had to obtain the written backing of five football associations under Fifa electoral rules.

FIFA candidates:

Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, 39, is president of the Jordan Football Association.

Musa Bility, 48, is president of the Liberian Football Association.

Jerome Champagne, 57, is a former Fifa executive.

Gianni Infantino, 45, is Uefa's general secretary.

Michel Platini, 60, is Uefa president and Fifa vice-president.

Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, 49, is Asian Football Confederation president.

Tokyo Sexwale, 62, is a South African former government minister.

- BBC

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