Fifa presidency race: Bility out, Sexale and others in

Liberia’s Musa Bility has been ruled out as a candidate for the Fifa presidency following integrity checks.

Football’s world governing body has approved five of the presidential candidates, with suspended Uefa boss Michel Platini also not included.

The Frenchman could be added should his ban end before February’s election.
Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Jerome Champagne, Gianni Infantino, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa and Tokyo Sexwale have been approved.

Bility, the 48-year-old president of the Liberian Football Association, was given 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 Issa Hayatou.

He was involved in a fight against Caf’s rule changes to the process that effectively allowed president Issa Hayatou to be re-elected unopposed in March.
Bility said he has 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.
“I am awaiting the review by my team of lawyers to determine my next course of action.”
Fifa said it would not comment further on the reasons for Bility’s exclusion, which he can challenge at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.