Infantino: No deals among FIFA presidential candidates

Gianni Infantino, a Swiss lawyer and a candidate for FIFA presidency, said in an interview published Sunday it is not the time for deals ahead of Friday's vote of 209 federations.

The 45-year-old UEFA executive told the Le Matin Dimanche weekly that there would be no deals among the candidates.

Infantino was responding to a question on whether he might consider a deal with his main opponent Bahrain's Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa.

"There is no question of that... I think a democratic election is fundamental for the credibility of FIFA as an institution," Infantino said.

The scandal-hit FIFA has seen senior executives, including long-time president Sepp Blatter and UEFA head Michel Platini, suspended or fired.

Infantino noted, "FIFA must be headed by a president legitimised through an election."

"A couple of months ago, I was not even thinking about launching into this adventure. But football is going through a difficult period. Some people therefore must step up and take their responsibility," he said.

Besides Salman and Infantino, the FIFA presidential race is also joined by South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale, Jordan's Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, a former FIFA vice-president, and former FIFA official Jerome Champagne of France.

Infantino, who worked closely with Platini for nine years, also expressed "admiration for the dignity with which has gone through this ordeal."

He added: "He is concentrating on his defence and me, on my campaign." Endit