ZURICH (Sputnik) — Several new FIFA members, such as South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe received FIFA approval before the Friday election to cast their votes.
FIFA’s 65th congress in currently underway in Switzerland’s Zurich, where two days ago seven senior FIFA officials were arrested on a US federal corruption warrant. The charges included fraud, racketeering and money laundering, as well as illegal marketing and broadcasting deals over the last 24 years.
Following the announcements, many western politicians and top football officials urged four-time FIFA president Joseph Blatter to step down. Blatter has dismissed the calls, saying that it falls to him to restore trust in FIFA.
Blatter himself is not currently involved in the scandal.
Apart from Blatter, only one other nominee – FIFA Vice President for Asia Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan – is running for the presidency.
