FIFA Election 2016: Seven Candidates Confirmed

FIFA has confirmed that seven candidates will stand in its presidential election on February 26, 2016.

The candidates are:

• Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, 39, president of the Jordan Football Association
• Musa Bility, 48, president of the Liberian Football Association
• Jerome Champagne, 57, former FIFA executive
• Gianni Infantino, 45, UEFA’s general secretary
• Michel Platini, 60, is UEFA president and FIFA vice-president
• Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, 49, Asian Football Confederation president
• Tokyo Sexwale, 62, former South Africa’s government minister

Trinidadian ex-soccer player 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.

Sepp Blatter, 79, announced he would be stepping down in June, with world soccer’s governing body at the centre of a corruption scandal.

Michel Platini, the head of European soccer’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 million euros payment was made in 2011 for work Michel Platini did as Sepp Blatter’s adviser.

Both Michel Platini and Sepp Blatter deny any wrongdoing and are appealing against their 90-day bans.

Under FIFA electoral rules, all candidates had to obtain the written backing of five soccer associations.