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FIFA Presidential Candidates Make Final Pitches for Votes

A man works on a fence during last preparations for the Extraordinary FIFA Congress 2016, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, in Zurich, Switzerland. Electing a new president to replace Sepp Batter might be the second most important vote FIFA takes on Friday. Hours earlier, leaders of 209 member federations can approve reforms designed to end a culture of corruption in world soccer. (Ennio Leanza/Keystone via AP)

ZURICH — Candidates are making their final pitches to secure votes for Friday’s election to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president.

The first confederations meeting Thursday were the CONCACAF and Oceania regions.

Outsider Tokyo Sexwale, a former Robben Island political prisoner, says “I have come this far. I am used to obstacles.”

The South African adds that “FIFA is a house broken and needs to be repaired” but stressed “football is not broken.”

The favorite is Asian soccer confederation president Sheikh Salman. UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, former FIFA vice president Prince Ali of Jordan and former FIFA official Jerome Champagne are also in the running.

Blatter decided to step down amid investigations into widespread wrongdoing in soccer.