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Most Influential 50-41 includes Tite, Granovskaya and Elleray

ESPN FC is counting down the 50 most influential men and women in football, as compiled by our editors and writers from around the world.

MOST INFLUENTIAL: 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-6 | 5-1

50. David Chung (Oceania Football Confederation president)

Chung commands respect in FIFA's corridors of power and has made significant strides in bolstering its lowest-profile confederation, among them the hosting of the 2016 Women's Under-20 World Cup by his native Papua New Guinea. New Zealand, by far the most successful footballing country in Oceania, also hosted the men's Under-20 World Cup in 2015. Chung is concurrently president of the Papua New Guinea FA and was awarded an OBE for his services to business and the development of football in 2012.

49. Bridget Rohde (Acting U.S. District Attorney for Eastern District of New York)

It has been more than two years since a number of FIFA officials were arrested at the Hotel Baur au Lac in Zurich and around the world, and the investigation continues. The responsibility for prosecuting any wrongdoers rests with the U.S. Attorney's office and, in particular, with acting DA Rohde (Loretta Lynch left the position in 2015). In the past few months more former officials have admitted wrongdoing, from money laundering to bribes and much more in-between. If Rohde continues in the post -- new Attorney General Jeff Sessions could replace her with his own pick -- Rohde will deal with those cases.

48. Charlie Stilitano (Relevent Sports chairman)

Preseason tours are as much about marketing and money as they are form and fitness, and Stilitano has established himself as the go-to person in this field. The International Champions Cup, for which ESPN is a rights holder, is an annual, multicontinent event that features the world's biggest clubs and puts on events such as this month's Miami Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid. And might it become more important? In 2016, Stilitano made headlines when he suggested that the ICC could offer an alternative to the UEFA Champions League and feature games outside Europe.

47. Tite (Brazil manager)

He was called in to regenerate the Selecao, after the 2014 World Cup defeat to Germany and subsequent return of Carlos Dunga, and he's done exactly that. Brazil have won eight out of eight with Tite at the helm in the notoriously difficult South American World Cup qualifying tournament and became the first team to seal their place in Russia 2018, after the host nation. Along the way, he's cast his net far and wide for talent, relaunching the careers of Chinese-based stars like Paulinho and Renato Augusto. Charismatic and personable, Tite has charmed the Brazilian public as they dream of a record sixth World Cup.

46. Kwesi Nyantakyi (Ghana FA president, CAF ExCo member and FIFA Council member)

The second-most powerful figure in African football, Nyantakyi was named vice president of CAF in May and was also elected to one of two new seats on the FIFA Council in 2016. Among his priorities is for Africa to secure at least two more places in an expanded World Cup. He heads a Ghana FA that has made great progress in developing the country's football infrastructure. But given his stated desire to step down from that position in two years' time, the clock is ticking as he looks to cement his legacy.

45. Gordon Taylor (Professional Footballers' Association chief executive)

The man who keeps the players in line, no matter their status. It might seem rather incongruous that the chief executive of the PFA -- in other words, a trade unionist -- earns around £3.4m a year, but such is the influence of a man who has been in his position since 1980. And while the idea of a trade union for multimillionaires could appear a little strange, just because those at the top end might not need much representation, the strata of players beneath frequently do. Taylor is the man who players, and often clubs going through financial problems, turn to in their hour of need, so he retains significant influence in the English game.

44. Marina Granovskaya (Chelsea executive)

The long-standing adviser to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich began working at the club in 2010 before taking a place on the board three years later. Her influence has grown substantially and she has ultimate responsibility for all of the club's major deals, including the £900m kit deal signed with Nike in 2016. Transfers and contracts also fall under her remit and she has a reputation as an impressive negotiator. Her work has generally been a resounding success, although a slow start to this summer's transfer window has increased pressure. On past evidence, Granovskaya can be expected to deliver.

43. Nelio Lucas (Doyen Sports chief executive)

Doyen Sports is a subsidiary, established by Lucas, of the hedge fund Doyen Group. Their business is to provide finance for player transfers, whether that's by lending money to clubs or through the now-outlawed practice of third-party ownership. Doyen Sports also have a hand in managing image rights, including those of David Beckham and Neymar. Lucas learned his trade working with agent Pini Zahavi and, though he has attracted plenty of interest from Football Leaks about his complex business dealings, remains an influential figure.

42. Kia Joorabchian (football advisor)

Joorabchian is not a registered agent but has been involved in football since his former company, Media Sports Investments, partnered with Brazilian club Corinthians in 2004 and sprung to global attention for his role in Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano joining West Ham two years later. Now he works with the likes of David Luiz, Oscar and Ramires, and has been close to Inter since their takeover by Suning Holdings Group last year. Joorabchian has come to represent something of a gateway to China as he has helped a number of his associates, including Ramires and Alexandre Pato, make big-money moves to the country's Super League.

41. David Elleray (International Football Association Board technical director)

The laws of football haven't changed significantly for a century or more, but rather more radical alterations have been mooted in recent times: Goal-line technology has been broadly successful and the jury is out on video refereeing. And former Premier League referee Elleray is right in the thick of these changes. Recently, for example, he oversaw the publication of further recommendations to shake up the laws of the game, which include switching to 30-minute halves and allowing players to take free kicks and corners to themselves. Should the suggestions be ratified, Elleray is likely to be a key figure in their implementation.

MOST INFLUENTIAL: 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-6 | 5-1

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