By Andrew Warshaw
February 23 – FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein has called on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to postpone Friday’s presidential election because of a dispute over voting procedures which he believes could seriously jeopardise his chances of victory.
In a dramatic escalation of the blame game three days before the election to replace Sepp Blatter, Prince Ali’s team have gone to CAS after receiving insufficient assurances from FIFA that the election will be clean and fair.
Last week, FIFA’s electoral committee, run by Domenico Scala, banned mobile phones and cameras from polling booths but rejected calls by Prince Ali for transparent booths to ensure delegates do not photograph their ballot papers in order to prove to their confederation bosses that they followed instructions.
In a statement, Prince Ali’s lawyers said they had gone to CAS because FIFA had not explained how sanctions would be applied if any rules are broken by individual federations in the secret ballot.
“We do note that FIFA will simply request voters “to leave their mobile while going to vote” said the statement. “This request is not sufficient. FIFA remains silent upon the measures to enforce it and sanctions associated with it. Prince Ali has naturally brought to the matter to CAS on Monday the 22nd.
“FIFA has objected to our demand for expedited hearing in order for an award to be delivered before February 26th. This behavior bears no rational other than denying any right to a fair and transparent voting process. As a consequence, we are now seeking provisional measures before CAS to suspend the coming election on Friday 26th of February.”
Insideworldfootball has learned that the president of the CAS appeal division will make a decision by close of play Wednesday without holding a hearing.
Scala’s office is making no official comment but it is understood they believe Prince Ali has no case, one reason being he made no such complaint at any time since losing to Sepp Blatter in May when the rules were the same. It is also suggested he is simply clutching at straws in order to avoid becoming the first FIFA presidential candidate ever to lose twice.
But the Jordanian has long been concerned about dirty tricks and that individual federations, who are free to vote as they choose, are being unduly bullied by their confederations into following the party line.
In a statement, CAS, sport’s supreme court, acknowledged Ali’s complaint and said a ruling would be made no later than Thursday morning.
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered an appeal and request for urgent provisional measures filed by HRH Prince Ali Al Hussein of Jordan against a decision taken by the FIFA Ad-hoc Electoral Committee dated 15 February 2016 in which it declined to incorporate the use of transparent voting booths for the upcoming FIFA Presidential Election,” the statement said.
“HRH Prince Ali Al Hussein seeks an order that FIFA be directed to use transparent voting booths, as well as independent scrutineers, in order to safeguard the integrity of the voting process and to ensure that the vote is conducted in secret. FIFA has been invited to file written observations in reply to Prince Ali’s request. The request for provisional measures will be decided by CAS no later than the morning of Thursday 25 February 2016. In the meantime, the CAS will not comment on this pending matter.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734888907labto1734888907ofdlr1734888907owedi1734888907sni@w1734888907ahsra1734888907w.wer1734888907dna1734888907