FIFA Elects New President in Bid to Clean Up Scandal-hit Image_美文

FIFA Elects New President in Bid to Clean Up Scandal-hit Image

Hours before the election, FIFA passed a set of reforms aimed at cleaning up its image. It will have an elected council to replace the tarnished Executive Committee – with more female members to boost women’s football.

The salaries of all senior figures will be disclosed.

And the presidency will be limited to a maximum of twelve years. Many believe the reforms don’t go far enough, says Barker.

“Twelve years, there’s still ample time for corrupt practices. Salary disclosure is another one that’s a little bit difficult to pin down. What expenses they take as well as the salary disclosure - that would be a real measure of just how transparent they’re going to be," he said.

U.S. and Swiss prosecutors are still investigating - and the full extent of criminal activity in FIFA is not yet known.

The newly-elected FIFA president is fluent in five languages: Italian, French, German, English and Spanish. He studied law at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland.

Infantino joined UEFA in August 2000 and held various roles and positions before working his way up to secretary general in October 2009.

Before joining UEFA he worked as secretary general of the International Center for Sports Studies at the University of Neuchatel.

Infantino decided to run for FIFA president, after UEFA president Michel Platini was handed a provisional 90-day suspension over a corruption scandal.