The FIFA presidential election is underway as scheduled following a corruption scandal involving several high-ranking officials of the organization.
On May 27, the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment charging 14 defendants — among them nine senior FIFA officials — with racketeering, money laundering and taking about $150 million in bribes. Seven of the FIFA defendants were arrested in Switzerland on a US federal corruption warrant.
Only two nominees — four-time incumbent Blatter, who has been FIFA president since 1998, and current FIFA Vice President for Asia, Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan — are running for the FIFA presidency. Several new FIFA members, including South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau and Sao Tome and Principe received FIFA approval ahead of the Friday election to cast their votes.
