(ATR) FIFA could elect a new president just before Christmas.
In order to replace president Sepp Blatter, FIFA will hold an extraordinary elective Congress between December 2015 and March 2016. While speculation remains on the exact date,December 16 as the likely candidate for the elective congress, according to the BBC.
Later this week, FIFA will choose a day in July to hold a special executive committee meeting. During this meeting, the FIFA executives will officially decide the date of the new presidential election.
At this time, FIFA is holding its tongue on the election date.
"For this extraordinary elective congress, there are currently various date options for discussion at this extraordinary Executive Committee meeting," a FIFA spokesperson told Around the Rings.
The international football federation is embroiled in controversy and scandal as a result of the United States indictment against several current and former FIFA executive committee members on charges of racketeering and bribery.
Blatter is the president of FIFA and was not named in the indictment.
However, he has been at the helm of the federation for 17 years and seen it through multiple scandals.
Amidst the controversy, Blatter was re-elected to serve a fifth term as FIFA president . Four days later, Blatter announced his decision to relinquish the presidency.
However, Blatter will remain president for at least the next six months; a time-frame he says will allow him to begin the process of reform within FIFA.
The executive committee meeting will likely be scheduled in the first half of July, as the preliminary draw for the Russia 2018 World Cup is scheduled for July 25. The preliminary draw will be the first major kick-off event for the next World Cup tournament.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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