FIFA rejects Musa Bility for presidential election

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 12 November 2015

FIFA rejects Musa Bility for the presidential election following integrity checks, while Michel Platini is still not included due to suspension.

FIFA has rejected the candidature of Musa Bility for the presidential election following integrity checks by the electoral committee.

The Liberian FA president put his name forward for the position, which will be vacated by Sepp Blatter in an election on February 26 next year.

However, Bility was stricken from the list after relevant checks were made during the assessment of each candidate.

UEFA president Michel Platini remains out of the running as he continues to serve a 90-day suspension amid allegations that he received a "disloyal" £1.3m payment from Blatter in 2011.

The Frenchman's candidature will only be assessed if the ban is lifted before the election date, but UEFA is represented in the presidential race by Gianni Infantino, who is one of five candidates approved by the committee.

Prince Ali, Sheikh Salman, Jerome Champagne and Tokyo Sexwale are the remaining candidates vying for the position of FIFA president.

In relation to Bility's rejection, FIFA released a statement, which read: "The ad-hoc electoral committee did not admit the candidature of Musa Hassan Bility, in view of the content of the integrity check report relating to him.

"For reasons of protection of personality rights, the ad-hoc electoral committee, while it has explained its considerations in detail to Musa Hassan Bility, will not comment publicly on the specifics of its decision.

"The decisions of the ad-hoc electoral committee on the eligibility of candidates may be appealed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne."

Blatter has reportedly been hospitalised amid widespread allegations of corruption within FIFA.