FIFA Approves Five Candidates for Presidential Election; Bility Candidacy Rejected

FIFA have narrowed the official shortlist of presidential candidates to five after ruling out Liberia’s Musa Bility following integrity checks. 

The governing body refused to comment on the reasons for rejecting Bility’s candidacy, but he will be able to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

FIFA’s integrity check included a review of corporate records, litigation cases, bankruptcy proceedings, potential regulatory actions taken against the candidate and a review of media reports concerning potential red flags

The five approved candidates are; Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Jérôme Champagne, Gianni Infantino and Tokyo Sexwale.

Suspended UEFA president Michel Platini has also been left off the shortlist, but will be allowed to run if his suspension is uplifted prior to the 26 February election date. 

Platini has been handed a 90-day suspension after receiving a payment of £1.3 million from FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who is also serving a suspension of the same length.

{jcomments on}