FIFA officials announced on Monday that the election to replace embattled president Sepp Blatter will take place in February.
The New York Times noted that during a meeting in Zunich, FIFA executives set the election date for Feb. 26. The committee also focused on how to repair the governing body’s image amid the corruption scandal.
As previously reported, Blatter made an announcement about stepping down after several FIFA officials were charged with corruption and just days after he was re-elected for a fifth term in May. The 79-year-old said that he will not enter the upcoming election.
With the new date set Blatter’s opponents, including Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, are calling for him to leave his post immediately.
“President Blatter’s resignation cannot be dragged out any longer. He must leave now,” Prince Ali told the Associated Press. “Only an independent party can ensure that sufficient safeguards are put in place to ensure a robust process and meaningful timetable.”
A dark cloud not only looms over the heads of the 14 FIFA executives and officials charged by the U.S. Department of Justice, but also for Blatter himself. Allegations of money laundering and other suspicious activity made against him are reportedly being looked into.
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