Infantino on FIFA corruption scandal: 'You hide ... or you stand up and do the right thing'

FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino made an impassioned speech ahead of Friday's election in Zurich, Switzerland, addressing a bevy of issues prior to the beginning of the balloting at the Hallenstadion.

The 45-year-old Swiss-Italian, who's served as the UEFA general secretary since 2009, put his multilingual skills on full display, opening his speech in Italian before switching to English and fervently discussing the corruption scandal that's engulfed football's governing body.

"The reputation of FIFA is tarnished," said the man best known for his oversight of UEFA draws. "You have two choices, you hide and you wait until it passes, or you stand up and you try to do the right thing. For me, to hide has never been an option."

Infantino, who five months ago wasn't even a candidate for the presidency, went on to pull on the heartstrings of individual confederations, outlining what he'd do to help them, and specifically, the smaller nations they house.

"FIFA has to be there. FIFA has to help, FIFA has to assist in the development of these projects," he said when discussing Oceania, though he could've been addressing any of the sport's confederations.

Infantino, with his UEFA background, spent a hefty portion of his speech discussing how football's most lucrative administrative body could "do more" to help the smaller nations.

"Europe has to do much more for football," he said. "Europe has to break down the walls between these continents. Europe has to build bridges.

"This will be done, as of tomorrow."

Infantino's closing remarks, met with applause from the audience, appropriately summarized his platform of involvement and inclusion of each of the sport's member associations, along with his desire to move FIFA beyond its murky past.

"A leader alone cannot do anything, I will need you ... and I will be there for you, every day and every night. Let's bring FIFA forward, all together."