FIFA elections go to second voting round

The elections for the new FIFA president will go to a second round after no candidate was able to secure a two-thirds majority.

Tokyo Sexwale withdrew from the race to succeed Sepp Blatter just minutes prior to the opening of the polls, meaning associations were asked to vote for one of Gianni Infantino, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein and Jerome Champagne.

However, no candidate was able to accrue the necessary majority of 138 votes from a possible 207, meaning a second ballot will be required.

Infantino received 88 votes, while Sheikh Salman – the other pre-vote favourite – took 85.

A new president will be elected should a candidate receive 104 votes in the second ballot. If no such majority is reached, the lowest-ranking candidate in terms of accrued votes will drop out of the running and a third round will take place.

Results of 1st ballot: 27 votes for Prince Ali; 85 votes for Shk. Salman; 7 votes for Jérôme Champagne; 88 votes for Gianni Infantino.

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) February 26, 2016