Gianni Infantino elected new FIFA president ... 'he is worthy', says Blatter

 Sepp Blatter says newly elected FIFA president Gianni Infantino is a worthy successor to continue his work.

Blatter praises Infantino's "experience, expertise, strategic and diplomatic skills" in a statement.

Blatter says the 45-year-old UEFA general secretary "has all the qualities to continue my work and to stabilise FIFA again" after a corruption crisis.

Infantino will complete the rest of Blatter's presidential term, serving through May 2019. The 79-year-old official was banned by the FIFA ethics committees along with Infantino's now former boss, UEFA President Michel Platini.

The warm congratulations is a notable change of tone for Blatter, who early in the campaign sniped at Infantino despite the fact they come from neighboring Swiss villages.

Infantino was only five years old when Blatter joined FIFA in 1975.