Bility declared ineligible to stand in FIFA Presidential election as Sheikh Salman passes integrity test

Musa Bility will not be allowed to stand in the FIFA Presidential Election ©CAF

Five candidates have been declared eligible to run for President of FIFA, football's world governing body's Ad-hoc Electoral Committee have said today, with Liberia's Musa Hassan Bility prevented from standing.

Bahrain's Asian Confederation President Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has been allowed to run, along with Prince Ali Al Hussein of Jordan, Jérôme Champagne of France, Swiss UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino and South Africa's Tokyo Sexwale.

This is, despite claims by human rights groups that Sheikh Salman oversaw a committee in Bahrain which targeted athletes participating in anti-Governmental protests in 2011, with more than 150 athletes and officials reportedly arrested.

These allegations are categorically denied by Sheikh Salman, who insists he had "absolutely no involvement in the identification, investigation, prosecution or mistreatment of any individuals as has been alleged".

It is thought these claims were considered by the Committee before they reached their verdict.

Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has passed the FIFA integrity test ©Getty Images

The panel did, however, reject 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", a statement added.

It has emerged this was given because he had received a six-month ban from all football activities in 2013 for using confidential documents from African football's governing body in a legal challenge against CAF President, and interim FIFA head Issa Hayatou.

Bility claimed to have been informed by FIFA that his candidacy was "principally rejected" because of the ban.

"I reject this and think it's unfortunate," he added.

"My decision to fight CAF at the time was a genuine attempt to change African football and prevent rules from being arbitrarily violated."

The 48-year-old Liberian Football Association President can challenge the verdict at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

An integrity check was not carred out on Michel Platini, the UEFA boss who is currently suspended from all footballing activity for 90 days following allegations of corruption.

He will only become a candidate if he successfully appeals the ban and then passes an integrity check.