Story highlights
CAS rejects legal bid by Mohamed Bin Hammam over his replacement as AFC president
Bin Hammam wanted to block the appointment of China's Zhang Jilong as acting chief
Bin Hammam was given lifetime ban by FIFA over 'cash for votes' scandal
62-year-old Qatari has taken his case to CAS as he bids to clear his name
Former Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam has lost the first round of a legal battle as he bids to overturn the lifetime ban handed down by FIFA.
The 62-year-old Qatari appealed to the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) in Lausanne to block the appointment of China’s Zhang Jilong as his acting deputy as Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president.
The AFC said Monday that its “welcomes” a CAS ruling that will allow Zhang to remain in his post.
“AFC has strictly followed the AFC Statutes at all times in relation to Mr Jilong’s designation as AFC Acting President and nomination to the FIFA Executive Committee,” read a statement on its website.
“The CAS decision to dismiss Mr. Bin Hammam’s request for a provisional stay is a procedural order and not an award, meaning that it is not subject to further appeal,” it added.
Bin Hammam was handed his lifetime ban in July after being found guilty of trying to buy votes in the FIFA presidential race by offering football officials from the Caribbean $40,000 each.
The affair also led to the resignation of FIFA vice-president Jack Warner and left Sepp Blatter to be elected unopposed for a fourth term as FIFA president.
It provoked widespread criticism of football’s world governing body and calls for a reform of its structures.
FIFA rejected Bin Hammam’s appeal against his punishment last month, but he has vowed to clear his name through the CAS.
They will gather submissions from Bin Hammam and FIFA with a result not expected until late this year at the earliest.
