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Infantino 'bought' votes to become FIFA president

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ANI Johannesburg

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has sparked a fresh controversy, saying that Gianni Infantino 'bought' votes to get elected as a president of FIFA.

Earlier on Friday, Switzerland's Infantino replaced disgraced compatriot Sepp Blatter as the new FIFA president after winning a second-round vote in Zurich.

Infantino secured 115 of the 207 eligible votes in round two to take over the helm of the world football's governing body ahead of Sheikh Salman of Bahrain, who received 88 votes.

Zamparini insisted that Infantino got selected because he simply bought more votes than Sheikh Salman, Sport24 reported.

Following the appointment, Infantino promised to restore the tattered image of FIFA. But Zamparini remained doubtful whether the election process was fully transparent.

 

Blatter's 18-years charge saw the world's football governing body become embroiled in several cases of vote-buying corruption.

Zamparini, who takes over the Sicily-based Serie A club in 2002, admitted that his comments could bring him suspension, but it would be an honour to receive the same.

Infantino, who will leave his job as the general secretary of UEFA, became the second straight FIFA president from Switzerland.

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First Published: Mar 01 2016 | 12:01 PM IST

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