Bility appeals to CAS over exclusion from FIFA Presidential race

Liberian FA President Musa Bility could still be included in the FIFA Presidential race ©Getty Images

Liberian Football Association President Musa Bility has launched an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after FIFA’s Ad-hoc Electoral Committee rejected his candidacy for the head of world football’s governing body in November.

Bility failed an integrity check and was excluded from the race to replace suspended President Sepp Blatter, who is due to step down at the Extraordinary Elective Congress in Zurich on February 26.

A statement at the time refused to comment publicly on the decision but it is thought it relates to a six-month ban he received from all football activities in 2013 for using confidential documents in a legal challenge against Confederation of African Football President and interim FIFA head Issa Hayatou.

The 48-year-old is hoping the Lausanne-based CAS will overturn FIFA’s decision so that he is allowed to stand and, if they do rule in his favour, he will be the sixth confirmed candidate bidding to take over from Blatter, who has been in charge of the body since 1998.

CAS confirmed a hearing could take place before Christmas, though no date has yet been set.

Suspended UEFA President Michel Platini also hopes to be able to stand in the race to succeed Sepp Blatter as the head of FIFA at the election in Zurich on February 26 ©Getty Images

"In appealing to the CAS, Mr Bility seeks a final decision declaring that his integrity is not challenged and that he can run for the FIFA presidential election in February,” a CAS statement said.

“He also filed a request to suspend the execution of the challenged decision to allow him to continue with his election campaign pending a final decision on the merits of the case.

“Finally, Mr Bility has requested that an expedited procedure be put in place to enable the final decision on the merits to be issued before the end of the year.

“FIFA has agreed to the expedited procedure and a procedural calendar has been determined in order to complete the arbitration procedure before the end of 2015.”

Suspended UEFA President Michel Platini also hopes to be allowed to stand and his appeal to CAS began here on Tuesday (December 8).

Should CAS uphold the former France international’s appeal, it could revive his FIFA Presidential bid and he would then also be able to attend the draw for the 2016 European Championships, due to take place in Paris on Saturday (December 12).

CAS must decide whether imposing the suspension on Platini, previously the favourite to succeed Blatter, without a full investigation from the Ethics Committee was an excessive punishment.

A decision on Platini from CAS is due to be announced tomorrow at around 10am local time.