Candidate Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan announces his withdrawal after the first vote of the president's election during the 65th Fifa Congress at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, May 29, 2015. Patrick B Kraemer / Keystone via AP
Candidate Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan announces his withdrawal after the first vote of the president's election during the 65th Fifa Congress at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, May 29, 2015. Patrick B Kraemer / Keystone via AP
Candidate Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan announces his withdrawal after the first vote of the president's election during the 65th Fifa Congress at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, May 29, 2015. Patrick B Kraemer / Keystone via AP
Candidate Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan announces his withdrawal after the first vote of the president's election during the 65th Fifa Congress at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, Frida

Sport

Who will replace Sepp Blatter as the next Fifa president and how did we get here?

Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Michel Platini and Jerome Champagne are several of the early names in the running to replace Sepp Blatter, who resigned as Fifa president as a mounting corruption scandal plays out.

Gary Meenaghan
Paul Oberjuerge

June 03, 2015

  • English
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Prince Ali bin Al Hussein: Sepp Blatter's only ­opponent in Friday's ­election. Won 73 votes from 206. Confirmed last night he will run again. Failed to secure the ­backing of Asia, his own confederation, but has to be seen as early favourite.

Michel Platini: The Uefa president and a firm supporter of 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Three-time Ballon d'Or winner. Had been eyeing 2019 elections and would have strong support from Europe. ­December, however, might come around too soon.

Jerome Champagne: Forward-thinking former Fifa executive with strong views on the game's future. Prominent voice in global football politics, ­especially in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Planned to run in 2015 elections, but ­withdrew in February ­because of lack of support.

Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Ibrahim Al Sabah: Kuwaiti kingmaker was elected unopposed onto Fifa's executive ­committee on Friday. Had been ­expected to run for ­presidency in 2019. Could fast-track his plans if given encouragement.

David Gill: Englishman was voted onto Fifa's executive committee on Friday. ­Rejected the role citing the "damaging events" of the past week. Such a stand will have been viewed as ­honourable, but may also have lost him friends for forcing the ­Blatter issue.

Issa Hayatou: The Cameroonian, 68, has served on Fifa's ­executive committee for 25 years. Now senior ­vice-­president, he has seen his name involved in bribery ­investigations in the past. If Fifa wants a complete ­reform, he is not the ­answer.

Wednesday, May 27: At the behest of the US government, Swiss authorities in Zurich arrest six current or former Fifa officials on charges of bribery, fraud and/or money laundering.

Thursday, May 28: Uefa president Michel Platini tells Fifa president Sepp Blatter he should step down and hints at a Uefa boycott of the 2018 World Cup in Russia

Friday, May 29: Blatter is elected to a fifth term as Fifa president when Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan quits the race after trailing 133-73 on first ballot.

Saturday, May 30: Blatter decries "hate campaign" being waged against him by Uefa and expresses "shock" at US judiciary for making negative comments about Fifa.

Sunday, May 31: Danny Jordaan, head of South Africa 2010, confirms payment of US$10 million (Dh36.7m) to Concacaf, which was headed by the discredited Jack Warner.

Monday, June 1: US authorities link Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke, Blatter's closest associate, to $10m in transfers from South Africa 2010 to Concacaf.

Tuesday, June 2: Blatter resigns.

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