FIFA election set for February 26

A new FIFA president will be elected at an Extraordinary Congress on February 26.

The date was confirmed on Monday following an Extraordinary General Meeting of the governing body in Zurich.

Outgoing president Sepp Blatter laid down his mandate back in June, just four days after he won a fifth consecutive term by beating Prince Ali bin Hussein in an election in late May.

Blatter’s decision to step down came in the wake of a corruption probe in which 14 people, including nine FIFA officials, were indicted on charges of racketeering conspiracy and corruption two days before that election.

And his presidency will now come to an end in seven months’ time, with UEFA president Michel Platini widely tipped as a front-runner to succeed him.

Platini has not confirmed whether he will stand but is reported to have the support of Europe, South America and Asia as well as the CONCACAF confederation.

It is unclear who would potentially run against Platini, although former Brazil international Zico has also stated he would like to stand for the presidency.