FIFA election goes to 2nd ballot; Infantino surprise leader over Sheikh Salman
We go again.
While the first ballot of FIFA's presidential election did not see any of the four candidates acquire the necessary two-thirds majority to be named new president of FIFA, it did yield a surprise, as Gianni Infantino received three more votes than consensus favourite Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa.
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
For one of Infantino or Salman to assume the presidency, they now need a simple majority (104 votes) in the second ballot. As such, Infantino needs 16 more votes to be named Sepp Blatter's successor.
To win FIFA presidency in 2nd round, candidate has to receive 104 votes. If not, lowest ranking candidate drops out & goes to 3rd round
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) February 26, 2016
The election now hinges on a simple question: of the 34 votes that went to Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and Jerome Champagne in the first round, how many of those member associations will switch allegiances to Infantino?