FIFA presidential election to be held on Feb 26

ZURICH (AP) — FIFA will hold a presidential election on Feb. 26, giving Sepp Blatter seven more months in power before leaving the scandal-tainted governing body.

The date was chosen by FIFA's executive committee on Monday, after Blatter announced plans to resign four days following his re-election in May.

FIFA is reeling under the weight of American and Swiss criminal investigations into corruption, which led to 14 officials being indicted in May when Blatter won a fifth term.

FIFA's 209 members will return to Zurich next year to select a new president almost than nine months after Blatter's resignation statement.

Potential contenders include UEFA President Michel Platini and Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, who lost to Blatter in May.

Former Brazil great Zico and Liberia football federation president Musa Bility have said they will seek the five nominations required.

Calls of resignation for Sepp Blatter: