Thompson Takes Fifa Vice-presidency

Football Association chairman Geoff Thompson has been unveiled as the new FIFA
vice president, replacing Scottish FA president John McBeth whose nomination was
withdrawn following controversial comments in the media.

Thompson, who was elected to the post by his peers in England, Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland, will now serve a four-year tenure as FIFA vice
president representing the interests of the UK nations.

McBeth had been due to be nominated but caused a stir last month when he
implied in a media interview that African and Caribbean nations were tainted by
corruption and greed.

McBeth will also end his four-year spell as SFA president at the body’s
annual general meeting in Glasgow on Friday.

Once Thompson’s four-year tenure as FIFA vice president has expired he will
be succeeded by Irish FA president Jim Boyce.

Thompson was unveiled at the FIFA annual congress taking place this week in
Zurich.