World soccer's governing body FIFA, shaken by the worst corruption crisis in its history, confirmed on Wednesday that seven candidates had registered as candidates for its presidency, with former Trinidad and Tobago international David Nakhid the only surprise omission.
The seven candidates were Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrein, Frenchmen Jerome Champagne and Michel Platini, Swiss Gianni Infantino, Liberian Musa Bility and South Africa's Tokyo Sexwale. They must now face integrity checks under FIFA's code of ethics.
Platini, the head of European soccer's governing body UEFA, is currently suspended along for 90 days along with FIFA president Sepp Blatter as soccer's governing body.
Swiss authorities are investigating the decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments to Russia and Qatar respectively and the United States Department of Justice has indicted 14 soccer officials and sports marketing executives on a series of corruption charges.
Since 2010, FIFA's own Ethics Committee has banned more than one dozen current and former members of the executive committee, either while in office or after they had left.
FIFA said that Platini's bid would not be processed while he is banned, but he could still stand if he wins an appeal.
"Should such a ban be lifted or expire before the FIFA presidential election, the Ad-hoc Electoral Committee would decide, depending on the respective exact point in time, on how to proceed with the candidature concerned," said FIFA in a statement.
As an alternative European candidate, UEFA's general secretary Infantino announced he would stand on Monday.
Nakhid had announced that he would stand and on Monday took part in at the Play the Game sports conference in Denmark, along with Champagne, as a FIFA presidential candidate.
FIFA said that one of the five declarations of support for Nakhid was provided by a football association which had also declared support for another candidate.
"The electoral committee decided not to consider Mr Nakhid's application as it did not fulfil the required five declarations of support." said a statement.
Meet the seven candidates vying for the FIFA top job:
Michel Platini
Earlier this month, FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini, who had been favourite to succeed him, were suspended for 90 days pending a full investigation by FIFA's Ethics Committee.
UEFA chief Platini was suspended this month for 90 days. FIFA said that Platini's bid would not be processed while he is banned, but he could still stand if he wins an appeal.
Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein
Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan has pledged to restore the reputation of world soccer's scandal-ridden governing body.
"This time of crisis at FIFA is an opportunity for positive change," Prince Ali said in a statement. "Many good ideas have emerged in the current discussion over FIFA's future.
"A better future will only come if ideas turn into action -- and that will only happen if FIFA has the right leadership.
"I am confident that FIFA can emerge from this difficult period with its reputation restored and become an organisation that is once again viewed with respect."
Gianni Infantino
A multilingual lawyer, shaven-headed Infantino joined UEFA in 2000 and has been general secretary since 2009.
He has overseen the implementation of the complicated and controversial Financial Fair Play policy, a break-even rule which clubs are required to meet before they can take part in European competition.
Jerome Champagne
FIFA's Deputy Secretary General between 2002 and 2005, Champagne worked on special projects between 2005 and 2007 and was Director of International Relations from 2007 until he left FIFA in 2010 after political infighting cost him his position.
A former diplomat, since 2010 Champagne has worked as an independent international football consultant focusing on resolving issues in Kosovo, Palestine and Israel and Cyprus.
Tokyo Sexwale
South Africa's Tokyo Sexwale is a former Apartheid-era political prisoner turned businessman.
Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said in a statement it had offered overwhelming support to Sheikh Salman who had assured it ‘that his campaign will be entirely self-financed’.
The Bahraini, closely allied to Kuwaiti Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, one of the most powerful men in the Olympic movement, canvassed opinion from Asian associations last week.
Musa Hassan Bility
Head of the Liberian Football Association Musa Bility's chances suffered a setback when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) refused to back him, but he seems to have got the five nominations necessary to stand.
