Page 20 - ATD27Febr2016

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SPORTSSaturday 27 February 2016

FIFA speech. Infantino, the general
“We will restore the image secretary of UEFA, is the
Continued from Page 17 of FIFA and the respect of second straight FIFA
FIFA. And everyone in the president from the Valais
Infantino got 115 of the world will applaud us,” region in the Swiss Alps.
207 eligible votes in the Infantino said, referring Infantino is from Brig and
second round to earn to bribery and corruption replaces the 79-year-old
a decisive majority over investigations that have Blatter, who was born in
Sheikh Salman of Bahrain, rocked the governing neighboring Visp.
who had been the strong body and forced Blatter Infantino will be president
favorite entering the out of office after more until May 2019, completing
election. than 17 years as president. the remainder of Blatter’s
He saluted voters by Sheikh Salman received 88 term.
patting his right hand votes in the second round Blatter was forced out by
over his heart, and had to after being the front-runner the pressure of American
compose himself before during much of the four- and Swiss investigations of
starting his acceptance month campaign. Prince corruption that hit FIFA two
days before the previous
Newly elected FIFA president Gianni Infantino of Switzerland election in May.
closes an eye during a press conference after the second “I congratulate Gianni
election round during the extraordinary FIFA congress in Zurich, Infantino sincerely and
Switzerland, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. Delegates of the soccer body warmly on his election as
FIFA met to elect a new president. the new president,” Blatter
said in a statement. “With
Associated Press his experience, expertise,
strategic and diplomatic
Ali of Jordan had four votes, than Sheikh Salman but skills he has all the qualities
and Jerome Champagne key to making him look to continue my work and
of France got zero. like a winner with valuable to stabilize FIFA again.”
In the first round, Infantino momentum. Prince Ali
took a surprising lead with received 27 votes, and
88 votes — just three more Champagne seven.