Meet the new FIFA President: Gianni Infantino

Gianni Infantino had a stunning victory on Friday to take over as FIFA president, and called for a fresh start for the soccer world body.

"I am convinced a new era is starting," said Infantino. Infantino promised to meet quickly with World Cup broadcasters and sponsors, saying they "they need to regain trust and confidence in football and in FIFA."

The 45-year-old former lawyer from Switzerland rose to the top job in the world's favorite sport after a tense, six hour-plus election process to find Blatter's replacement.
Infantino got 115 of the 207 eligible votes in the second round to earn a decisive majority over Sheikh Salman of Bahrain, who had been the strong favorite entering the election.

"We will restore the image of FIFA and the respect of FIFA. And everyone in the world will applaud us," Infantino said, referring to bribery and corruption investigations that have rocked the governing body and forced Blatter out of office after more than 17 years as president.
Sheikh Salman received 88 votes in the second round after being the front-runner during much of the four-month campaign. Prince Ali of Jordan had four votes, and Jerome Champagne of France got zero.

In the first round, Infantino took a surprising lead with 88 votes -- just three more than Sheikh Salman but key to making him look like a winner with valuable momentum. Prince Ali received 27 votes, and Champagne seven.

Infantino will be president until May 2019, completing the remainder of Blatter's term.
Blatter was forced out by the pressure of American and Swiss investigations of corruption that hit FIFA two days before the previous election in May. And the former president congratulates him with the statement below;

"I congratulate Gianni Infantino sincerely and warmly on his election as the new president," Blatter said in a statement. "With his experience, expertise, strategic and diplomatic skills he has all the qualities to continue my work and to stabilize FIFA again."

Infantino exceeded most observers' expectations after an impressive 15-minute pitch, only 20 minutes before first-round voting began.

The Swiss-Italian spoke in several languages without notes and portrayed himself as a leader for the world, not just his own wealthy confederation.
"We have to get Europe to do much more," Infantino said.

His campaign promised more of key FIFA gifts to member federations: More guaranteed funding from FIFA's $5 billion-plus World Cup revenue, more places in an expanded 40-team tournament and more opportunities to stage the World Cup with multi-national regional hosting.