In the spotlight: Grzegorz Lato

Lato received 57 out of 112  votes, beating out Zbigniew Boniek, another famous soccer player, and UEFA member Zdzisław Kręcina for the position. He now replaces Michał Listkiewicz, who had presided over the organization since 1999.

Lato's election was met with mixed reactions. Hopes were high that a new president would improve the PZPN's image, which has been tarnished by the association's failure to resolve corruption problems in professional Polish soccer. However, Lato is believed by many to have the support of exactly those PZPN officials who have proved reluctant to enact reforms in recent years.

Sławomir Nowak, chief of the prime minister's political cabinet, described the election as, "possibly not the best news for Polish soccer." He added that Poland would now have to wait longer for the organization "to heal."

The newly elected president has already committed one political misstep, saying Poland would be ready to co-host the Euro 2012 soccer championships with Germany if Ukraine had its status as co-host revoked. Lato's announcement came after media reports appeared that Ukraine had temporarily halted its preparations due to financial problems. He later said Poland could host the event on its own, but added that he hoped Ukraine would make it on time.

Born in 1950 in Malbork, Lato was a player on the Polish national soccer team from 1971-1984. In 1974, he was the top scorer during the World Cup in West Germany. Lato also served as coach for a number of soccer clubs, including Amica Wronki, Stal Mielec and Widzew Łódź. From 2001-2005, he was a senator from the Democratic Left Alliance party.