ZURICH: FIFA’s new president Gianni Infantino gives children from a football school high fives during the inauguration of the FIFA World Football Museum yesterday. — AFP

ZURICH: Gianni Infantino insisted yesterday that FIFA's reform package would close the door on a chapter of pain at world football's governing body and usher in an era of joy. The package will limit Infantino's powers compared to those formerly enjoyed by the disgraced Sepp Blatter, and there will be a 12-year term limit for all top officials and their earnings will be fully disclosed. The all-powerful executive committee will be renamed a FIFA council and football's multi-billion dollar business activities will be run separately from football politics.

"This will be done very fast," the freshly elected president said, on the fringe of a FIFA museum inauguration. "I mean we have to look forward. The reforms have been approved. As of now and for the future there will be no issues any more," he promised. "And as for the past, we have to make sure we cooperate fully with all the authorities to make sure that everything comes out if something has happened." Having admitted there may be more skeletons in FIFA's cupboard he conversely claimed the future was bright when asked if there was more pain for FIFA to come. "There is more joy for FIFA to come," he claimed.

Asked what his top priority was as he embarks on his much scrutinized project, Infantino said he was raring to go and hammered home his conviction. "Seriously first the reforms. The reforms need to be implemented now. They need to be implemented from day one, immediately. "So I will go up to the office to start looking at concretely how to implement these reforms so that we can very soon as well concentrate on football." The 45-year-old Swiss-Italian, who beat main rival Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa by 115 votes to 88 in the second round vote on Friday has been hailed by many as the right man at the right time, including English football supremo Greg Dyke.

The English FA chairman described the Swiss as "straight". Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek show Dyke said: "This is a chance. Hopefully a new leader plus a reform program can actually make it tougher to see the sort of antics we have seen in recent years." Infantino, he insisted, had been part of a fairly functioning UEFA, which should not be mistaken for its senior global partner FIFA. He said: "If you have got someone like Gianni, you have got more chance of that being done properly - it's certainly done properly in UEFA - so that you know where the money is being spent because we all want more money to go to countries around the world where you need money to develop football, and some countries need it more than others."

FIFA backstabbers

Meanwhile, Sepp Blatter warned Gianni Infantino yesterday that miracles will be expected from him as the newly-elected FIFA president but there will be plenty of backstabbers if he fails to deliver. Blatter, currently serving a six-year suspension from football, saw his 18-year reign as FIFA chief officially end Friday when 45-year-old UEFA secretary-general Infantino was voted in as football's most powerful man. But in an open letter to the Swiss-Italian lawyer, Blatter warned his successor to be wary of the pitfalls that come with the job.

He also said he was ready to offer his help if required. "I congratulate you, but remember however that this position you wanted will not be easy. Miracles will be expected," Blatter wrote in an open letter published in French newspaper, Journal du dimanche. "I had these expectations for the last 18 years at FIFA which I served for 41 years." Blatter said that the package of reforms which will be implemented at the scandal-hit body will help Infantino as he embarks on his new era.

"The miracles will be helped by the vote overwhelmingly taken for the reforms which I had also started. "If by chance, you want an opinion or advice, do not hesitate. For now, stay calm. You have two months to implement the decisions taken." Blatter said Infantino will be allowed a period of grace but could face stormy waters if reforms are implemented too slowly for the patience of federations and sponsors. "Prepare yourself well but be vigilant. While everyone supports you and tells you nice words, know that once you are the president, friends become rare."- Agencies