ZURICH — FIFA President Sepp Blatter says its key officials should be required to pass integrity checks. The 79-year-old Blatter used his column in FIFA's weekly magazine to float reforms. Blatter didn't address a recent report he could perform a U-turn and stand in the fresh presidential elections. Four days after being elected for a fifth, four-year term, Blatter abruptly announced plans on June 2 to resign from the scandal-tainted world body. FIFA says he stands by that statement. A July 20 executive committee meeting will decide the election date, and Blatter says it will also take “decisions on extensive changes to the FIFA structure.” Blatter says he endorses a motion from German Football Association President Wolfgang Niersbach to introduce “independent integrity checks for all members of the most important FIFA committees.” Liberia FA head to run for presidency The president of the Liberia Football Association is seeking the FIFA presidency, saying Africa should take the lead rebuilding world soccer's governing body as it reels from criminal investigations. Musa Bility is the second candidate to emerge since Sepp Blatter announced on June 2 — four days after being re-elected to a fifth term — that he would step down amid the corruption scandal rocking FIFA. Former Brazil star Zico has already declared his interest in running in the election, which is expected to be held between December and February. Candidates must be nominated by at least five of the 209 FIFA member associations to get on the ballot. “Africa is the largest voting bloc in FIFA (with 54 members), and we must take the lead to bring football together,” Bility said in an interview with the BBC announcing his candidacy. “If Africa does not put up a candidate, it says a lot about us. It shows a sense of mediocrity, and that our only relevance is to vote and make leaders. I think that is not right.” Bility would be the first African candidate for FIFA's top job since Confederation of African Football President Issa Hayatou lost to Blatter in 2002. “We all agree in the world that football is facing a difficult moment, and it is in difficult moments that great leaders emerge,” Bility said. The 48-year-old Bility has run the Liberian FA since 2010, and was re-elected for a second four-year term in 2014. “People know me to be bold, upright, outspoken, and highly opinionated,” said Bility, who is president of Liberia's Srimex oil and gas company. “I say it like it is. When it's not right, I don't back down, and that has gained me some respect.” 'Sepp Blatter Tournament' to go ahead In Lausanne, despite a deepening corruption scandal at FIFA, an annual charity event carrying the outgoing president Sepp Blatter's name will go ahead, organizers said Thursday. German great Franz Beckenbauer, who has refused to criticize Blatter and was a FIFA executive between 2007-2011, took part in the last edition. European football head Michel Platini, now one of Blatter's fiercest critics, has also been a guest at the amateur charity event. The tournament takes place at Ulrichen, close to where Blatter hails from. It is due to be held on Aug. 22. According to Swiss media, Blatter has been in a relaxed mood despite the scandal which has engulfed the body he has headed since 1998. — Agencies
