FIFA expressed satisfaction on Friday over the smooth running of Polish Football Association (PZPN) elections aimed at tackling alleged corruption within the game in Poland. World soccer's governing body said the elections had been held "according to the statutes of PZPN" and added it wished newly-elected chairman Grzegorz Lato "the best of success."
Lato, top scorer at the 1974 World Cup, took 57 of 112 votes to win Thursday's election outright in the first round of voting. He said afterwards that his priorities would include improved relationships with the Polish government and a successful staging of Euro 2012 along with co-hosts Ukraine.
FIFA officials were included in an independent electoral commission overseeing Thursday's vote, along with representatives from the Polish government and European soccer's governing body UEFA. The election took place as part of an agreement between the Polish government and FIFA, who had threatened to suspend Polish football after the government appointed an administrator in September to take over the running of the PZPN.
UEFA warned at the time that a suspension would endanger Poland's chances of co-hosting the Euro 2012 tournament. "Football's world governing body will work closely with PZPN for the good of the game in Poland," FIFA added in its Friday statement. UEFA said it would not be making any comment on the outcome of the election.