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Crisis-hit world football governing body FIFA faces one of the most important days in its 112-year history when it elects a new leader on Friday, hoping to usher in a fresh era after decades of corruption.
Delegates from more than 200 countries will vote for a new president to succeed Sepp Blatter, two days after the disgraced Swiss, and European soccer chief Michel Platini, lost their appeals against bans for ethics violations.
Latest updates
6.35 p.m.: Voting has begun in the FIFA presidential election with Afghanistan filling in the first of 207 ballot papers.
The first—round result is expected to be known in about two hours, with four candidates in the contest.
6.25 p.m.: The first delegates begin to vote.. Markus Kattner, FIFA general secretary then reminds delegates of the voting procedure, reminding them not to photograph their ballot papers.
Having begun his speech by promising to "die with my boots on", Sexwale ends it by withdrawing from the race,
"I have got a surprise for you. My campaign ends today and I suspend my participation. With only four people it is your problem now." Read more
6.24 p.m.: Sexwale then surprises the room by announcing he has suspended his participation and is out of the election. Sexwale calls for FIFA's Task Force on Anti Racism to become a permanent committee because "racism is going to be with us for a long long time.
6.16 p.m.: Tokyo Sexwale, the last of the five candidates, takes to the podium and says he had not considered withdrawing from the race despite appearing to be an outsider. "I am a soldier and I die with my boots on," says the South African.
IOC president Thomas Bach has told soccer leaders that new standards of governance are now required as they prepare to elect a new president.
In an attempt to prevent corruption, 207 nations were also voting on reforms at soccer’s governing body.
Bach told the FIFA extraordinary congress that “we live in a world that is asking new questions ... you can’t compare the standards of good governance of yesterday with the requirements of today.”
FIFA has been fighting for its future since leading officials, including vice presidents, were indicted in a U.S. bribery and racketeering investigation.
Urging FIFA members to adopt the reforms, Bach says “you have this great chance to turn the page and start a new chapter for football.”
Sepp Blatter wasn’t at the Zurich congress to hand over power to a new FIFA president because he is serving a six-year ban from soccer for financial mismanagement.
Bach says “you are electing your new team leader. Today you are deciding your new game strategy.”
Live: FIFA presidential elections: FIFA passes wide-ranging reforms - The Hindu
