By Andrew Warshaw
October 29 – David Nakhid, the FIFA presidential outsider whose candidacy for the post has been rejected, says he is writing to the organisation to demand an explanation.
The former Trinidad and Tobago international spent much of Tuesday following the deadline for applications giving interviews about his plans, only to discover 24 hours later he had been ruled out.
FIFA’s electoral rules state that candidates must present letters of support from five football associations, and that each cannot back more than one candidate. But one association had apparently signed letters of support for both Nakhid and a rival candidate.
“One of the five declarations of support for Mr Nakhid was declared invalid as the same member association had issued a declaration of support for another candidate,” FIFA said.
“The electoral committee decided not to consider Mr Nakhid’s application as it did not fulfill the required five declarations of support.”
It has not been made clear which of the seven eligible candidates FIFA were referring to, nor was the federation concerned named. But Nakhid’s spokesperson told Reuters they were “shocked” and would appeal.
Despite Nakhid’s protests, the letter concerned was invalidated for both candidates as per the rules. The reason the other contender was allowed to remain in the race was because he already had at least five other nominations whereas it is understood Nakhid only had five in total.
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