David Gill Named Great Britain's FIFA Vice-President
Former Manchester United chief executive David Gill is set to become Britain's next FIFA vice-president after winning a UEFA vote in Vienna on Tuesday.
Gill, currently vice-chairman of The Football Association, beat out competition from Welsh FA president Trefor Lloyd Hughes, winning the vote 43 to 10, per the Press Association (via The Guardian).
He will take up the post in May and serve a four-year term on FIFA’s executive committee as successor to Northern Ireland's Jim Boyce.
The 57-year-old received the backing of UEFA president Michel Platini, per The Associated Press' Rob Harris, while FA chairman Greg Dyke has stated his hope that Gill will make up part of the "awkward squad" keeping FIFA in check, per the PA report:
Gill left his post as chief executive at Old Trafford in the summer of 2013 and was replaced by Ed Woodward.
He is a strong advocate for reform within FIFA, specifically noting the requirement for a change in the presidency, per The FA, a post held by Sepp Blatter since 1998.
