Election day has arrived for FIFA, but the suspension of two voting nations could harm one lead candidate's chances.
ADVERTISEMENTSalman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa’s quest for the FIFA leadership has received a blow with the last-minute announcement that Kuwait and Indonesia have been suspended from voting in today’s presidential election (February 26).
Both were expected to back him for world football’s top job.
The Asian Football Confederation president and FIFA’s current vice-president is joint favourite for the post, alongside UEFA secretary general Gianni Infantino.
Five candidates were originally in the running to win the Jules Rimet of footballing jobs. However, minutes before voting began, South African businessman, Tokyo Sexwale pulled out.
Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who came runner-up in the last election is in line for the position, while the fourth candidate is Jérôme Champagne, who was a FIFA executive between 1999 and 2010.
They are all seeking to replace outgoing President Sepp Blatter, in the hope of taking football’s world governing body forward following a disastrous 2015.
Last year a total of 41 people and entities connected with the organisation were indicted by the US justice department on corruption charges.
LIVE: The #FIFACongress is underway at the Hallenstadion in Zurich. You can watch it here: https://t.co/dn91BZLLvYpic.twitter.com/e6zL4dpSZV
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) February 26, 2016