Top contenders for FIFA chief post after Sepp Blatter

FIFA is facing a turning point in its history with the end of president Sepp Blatter's 17-year grip on power.

Sunil Gulati, India/USA, 55: Allahabad-born Gulati, who has played a key role in the development of soccer in the United States in the past few decades, could be a potentially strong contender to replace Blatter, should the US have an interest in the position of FIFA chief.

Michel Platini, France, 59: The current UEFA president was once close to Blatter but they gradually drifted apart. Platini is considered one of the greatest footballers ever, playing 72 times for France and leading them to victory in the 1984 European championships

Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Jordan, 39: Sepp Blatter said the 73 votes Prince Ali collected in the first round of voting proved to Blatter that he no longer had the backing of the world. Prince Ali may take another shot at the position but he is unlikely to run if his mentor Platini does.

Jerome Champagne, France, 56: The former French diplomat worked at FIFA for 11 years and rose to the position of deputy secretary general before leaving in 2010. He was the first to declare his candidacy for the 2015 race but had to pull out because he did not get the required five nominations.

Wolfgang Niersbach, Germany, 64: Now the president of the German Football Association, he was elected to the FIFA executive committee this year and would bring a modern reformist approach to FIFA while fostering global cooperation. He also made no secret that he supported Ali in the recent vote.

Domenico Scala, Italy/Switzerland, 50: If anyone from within FIFA was to stand a chance of a shot at the top job, it could be the authoritative Swiss-Italian businessman, who has been independent chairman of FIFA's Audit and Compliance Committee since May 2012. In 2004, he was named "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum

Jerome Valcke, France, 54: If Valcke thought he might follow Blatter into the presidential office in the way that Blatter followed Joao Havelange, he probably should think again. He is seen as too close to Blatter to be a credible alternative.