Bahraini FIFA presidential candidate unveils reform programme

Zurich : FIFA presidential candidate Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa underlined his comprehensive vision to bring about the needed quality change to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) by restoring prestige to the federation and implementing a comprehensive development scheme.

Addressing the extraordinary meeting of FIFA Congress in Zurich prior to the start of the elections, he stressed the need for a rethink and not a revolution to solve FIFA problems without undermining its major achievements. The electoral programme of the Bahraini candidate also focused on the World Cup for Football tournament which is considered as a major event in the federation's line-up of championships. He asserted the possibility to raise the number of participating teams after consultation with continental and national associations which, he said, will certainly develop football all over the world.

Shaikh Salman promised to start a new development era of football should the world choose him to lead FIFA, pledging to boost transparency and pump new and young blood into the international body.

Meanwhile, the other four candidates (Jordanian Prince Ali bin Al-Hussain, Swiss Gianni Infantino, French Jerome Champagne, and South African Tokyo Sexwale who ) also addressed the FIFA Congress. It is to note that South African Tokyo Sexwale announced in his speech his withdrawal from the electoral race.

The elections are taking place after less than nine months when former FIFA President Joseph Blatter managed to win a fifth consecutive term as President of FIFA after winning the elections on May 29, 2015. However, he was forced to resign four days later due to massive corruption scandals.