The UEFA general secretary is the new FIFA President.
Gianni Infantino has been elected the new president of FIFA.
The UEFA secretary general, who secured 115 votes in the second round of voting, pipped fellow candidate Sheikh Salman to first place.
Infantino will take over Sepp Blatter’s latest tenure, which began in May 2015, so a new election is due to occur in 2019.
This is what the new president had to say upon appointment:
“We will restore the image of FIFA and the respect of FIFA and everyone in the world will applaud us.
“I want to work with all of you together in order to restore and rebuild a new era of FIFA where we can put again football at the centre of the stage.
“FIFA has gone through sad times, moments of crisis, but those times are over. We need to implement the reform and implement good governance and transparency. We also need to have respect.
“We’re going to win back this respect through hard work, commitment and we’re going to make sure we can finally focus on this wonderful game that is football.”
The Swiss national becomes the first new leader of FIFA since 1998, with Blatter having held the position for the last 18 years.
This is how Twitter has reacted to the news.
Even though he failed to become FIFA president today, I hope this isn't the last we hear of Tokyo Sexwale.
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) February 26, 2016
I know FIFA is all reformed and everything now, but if Gulati/US Soccer delivered Infantino's victory, that's a big chip to play for 2026.
— Andrew Das (@AndrewDasNYT) February 26, 2016
Congrats to @Gianni_2016 for becoming #FIFA President! Onwards and upwards.
— Jimmy Conrad (@JimmyConrad) February 26, 2016
Gulati: "I'm not going to be a power broker in FIFA." Exactly what a real power broker would say…
— Leander “same handle *elsewhere*” Schaerlaeckens (@LeanderAlphabet) February 26, 2016
Banned UEFA President's understudy succeeds banned ex-FIFA President at vote overseen by banned ex-FIFA Secretary General's replacement.
— Adam Leventhal (@AdamLeventhal) February 26, 2016
How Sexwale never won with a name like that is beyond me #Fifa
— JOE PEO (@JooePeo) February 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/grangewayroute/status/703274332517244929
FIFA just elected a president whose name is Italian for "Johnny Baby"
— Todd in the Shadows (@ShadowTodd) February 26, 2016
The important question: who handles and explains all the UEFA draws with Infantino gone to FIFA?
— Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) February 26, 2016
With Gianni Infantino, new President of FIFA, congratulations! @FIFAcom pic.twitter.com/4UKh4QwBO5
— Javier Zanetti (@javierzanetti) February 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/walker8701/status/703272093962670080
When I was at UEFA HQ in 2013, Infantino came over to me and shook my hand. I told him 'you should stand as FIFA president'. He owes me 🤓
— Professor Simon Chadwick (@Prof_Chadwick) February 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/gregjames/status/703269939440959488
https://twitter.com/jonathanliew/status/703276777813221376
Cover image via RTÉ
