FIFA confirm February presidential election

World football’s governing body FIFA will elect president Sepp Blatter’s successor at a special congress on February 26.

Blatter, who has been president since 1998, and vice-president Michel Platini, who is seeking the next presidency, have both been suspended for 90 days amid corruption allegations, which both men deny.

Frenchman Platini, president of European football’s governing body UEFA, submitted his candidacy papers earlier this month, but FIFA say they cannot recognise his candidacy while his ban is in place.

However, the body’s electoral committee say they may allow him to stand if his suspension ends before the election date.

Prince Ali bin al-Hussein is seeking the next presidency as well as former Trinidad and Tobago midfielder David Nakhid.

Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain is expected to contest the election while ex-Tottenham defender Ramon Vega is considering doing likewise.

Blatter is under criminal investigation over claims he made a £1.35m payment to Platini in 2011, as well as allegations he signed a contract “unfavourable” to FIFA.