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The Latest: Platini says bureaucrats ‘have taken control’ The Latest: Sheikh Salman pushes for votes from CONCACAF
(35 minutes later)
ZURICH — The Latest on the FIFA presidential election (all times local):ZURICH — The Latest on the FIFA presidential election (all times local):
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12:20 p.m.
Presidential front-runner Sheikh Salman tells voters in the CONCACAF region that he wants to keep their FIFA committee seat privileges in Zurich.
The Bahraini sheikh says he would create commissions to counter a proposed cut in the number of FIFA’s permanent committees.
On Friday, FIFA member federations will vote to approve a reform package that will see 26 standing committees reduced to nine. FIFA wants to cut costs and be more efficient.
But Sheikh Salman tells 35 FIFA voters from CONCACAF that “I can promise you that the numbers won’t change.”
He says “I am sure that we need most of you around. It is an investment in the people we have in football.”
During Sepp Blatter’s presidency, FIFA was criticized for using committee seats as patronage to reward loyalty and favored officials.
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11:55 a.m.11:55 a.m.
Former presidential favorite Michel Platini says unelected bureaucrats “have taken control” of FIFA.Former presidential favorite Michel Platini says unelected bureaucrats “have taken control” of FIFA.
Platini tells French sports daily L’Equipe that “they are the ones who did everything to fire me.”Platini tells French sports daily L’Equipe that “they are the ones who did everything to fire me.”
On Thursday, Platini had his ban from the sport cut to six years. He is appealing again at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.On Thursday, Platini had his ban from the sport cut to six years. He is appealing again at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The case against Platini first stalled and then ended his campaign to succeed Sepp Blatter, whose ban was also cut to six years.The case against Platini first stalled and then ended his campaign to succeed Sepp Blatter, whose ban was also cut to six years.
Platini questions, in extracts of an interview published Thursday, if “we want a FIFA that belongs to the elected or a FIFA run by bureaucrats?”Platini questions, in extracts of an interview published Thursday, if “we want a FIFA that belongs to the elected or a FIFA run by bureaucrats?”
The suspended UEFA president says he has faith in Gianni Infantino, UEFA’s top bureaucrat who is a candidate in the FIFA election on Friday.The suspended UEFA president says he has faith in Gianni Infantino, UEFA’s top bureaucrat who is a candidate in the FIFA election on Friday.
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11:35 a.m.11:35 a.m.
The head of the committee that ruled on reducing the bans of Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini to six years has declined to answer questions about his decision.The head of the committee that ruled on reducing the bans of Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini to six years has declined to answer questions about his decision.
Larry Mussenden, the president of the Bermuda soccer association, says “I’m not going to talk about it.”Larry Mussenden, the president of the Bermuda soccer association, says “I’m not going to talk about it.”
Mussenden is also one of the candidates running for president of the North American soccer confederation. By becoming CONCACAF president, Mussenden would also become a FIFA vice president.Mussenden is also one of the candidates running for president of the North American soccer confederation. By becoming CONCACAF president, Mussenden would also become a FIFA vice president.
CONCACAF’s last three presidents have been charged with corruption by American prosecutors: Jack Warner, Jeffrey Webb and Alfredo Hawit. Webb has pleaded guilty and Hawit not guilty. Warner is fighting extradition.CONCACAF’s last three presidents have been charged with corruption by American prosecutors: Jack Warner, Jeffrey Webb and Alfredo Hawit. Webb has pleaded guilty and Hawit not guilty. Warner is fighting extradition.
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11 a.m.11 a.m.
Candidates are making their final pitches to secure votes for Friday’s election to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president.Candidates are making their final pitches to secure votes for Friday’s election to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president.
The first confederations meeting Thursday were the CONCACAF and Oceania regions.The first confederations meeting Thursday were the CONCACAF and Oceania regions.
Outsider Tokyo Sexwale, a former Robben Island political prisoner, says “I have come this far. I am used to obstacles.”Outsider Tokyo Sexwale, a former Robben Island political prisoner, says “I have come this far. I am used to obstacles.”
The South African adds that “FIFA is a house broken and needs to be repaired” but stressed “football is not broken.”The South African adds that “FIFA is a house broken and needs to be repaired” but stressed “football is not broken.”
The favorite is Asian soccer confederation president Sheikh Salman. UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, former FIFA vice president Prince Ali of Jordan and former FIFA official Jerome Champagne are also in the running.The favorite is Asian soccer confederation president Sheikh Salman. UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, former FIFA vice president Prince Ali of Jordan and former FIFA official Jerome Champagne are also in the running.
Blatter decided to step down amid investigations into widespread wrongdoing in soccer.Blatter decided to step down amid investigations into widespread wrongdoing in soccer.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.