Football's world governing body FIFA is seeing big changes, from sweeping reforms to a new president. Here is an exclusive interview with the new FIFA head -- Gianni Infantino. The Swiss-Italian beat off competition from Sheikh Salman of Bahrain to win the election. He told CCTV's reporter in Zurich that he's still in shock but says FIFA's new era has begun, and he can restore the organization's credibility.
The last few months have been a whirlwind for new FIFA President Gianni Infantino. He only entered the race as a backup replacement for his former boss at UEFA Michel Platini? Now, Infantino has the top seat in world football? and even HE can't quite take it all in?
"It feels good. It is hard to believe still I have to admit but of course I am very humbled and also very proud and fully aware of the responsibilities that I have. So today I will start pulling up my sleeves and working because there is a lot to do here in FIFA," said Gianni Infantino, FIFA president.
Infantino won the election by claiming a majority 115 votes to Sheikh Salman of Barhain's 88 in the second round of voting. His key task now is to restore FIFA's credibility, an organization that has been engulfed by controversy for the best part of a year. But he says - he can do it.
"Well, there is a task definitely. I was also part of the reform committee of FIFA so I know exactly what is needed, I know exactly what has to be done and exactly when it has to be done as of today so we will implement the reforms and the new era has started and I am sure that the image and reputation of FIFA will come up very, very quickly," said said Gianni Infantino.
That may well be easier said than done given the extent of the corruption scandal that has engulfed football's governing body? But many observers feel that the raft of reforms that FIFA unanimously voted for are at least a step in the right direction.
"I think FIFA does have the chance to move forward not only because of Infantino having been elected but also and probably more significant because they approved all the package of reforms which really does restructure FIFA and puts it almost makes it into a modern corporation," said Keir Radnedge of World Soccer magazine.
But not everyone is convinced. Transparency International feel the reforms don't go far enough?and there are still concerns with the wider football community.
"Another area that requires further development is how FIFA will exactly enforce compliance of the same statutes by confederations. The real problems that we have seen with the FBA indictment is relate to marketing and broadcasting rights for regional competitions. How FIFA and how this reform process can curtail that kind of corruption in the future is not yet fully determined," said Gareth Sweeney of Transparency International.
One of Infantino's first public events will be to play in a football match at FIFA's headquarters. He'll hope it demonstrates that its matters on the pitch that should be making the headlines and not off-field scandals.
