Fifa says Swiss court rules against lifting ban on ex-soccer official

Chung Mong-Joon had sought to have his ban temporarily lifted so he could campaign to be the organisation’s president. AFP

ZURICH (REUTERS) - Fifa said on Tuesday that a Zurich District Court rejected a request from the world soccer body's former vice-president to temporarily lift a six-year ban on him.

Chung Mong-Joon had sought to have his ban temporarily lifted so he could campaign to be the organisation's president in a vote in February, Fifa said in a statement.

Zurich-based Fifa said the court ruled that there was no indication of a defective procedure on the part of the soccer body's ethics committee in banning the South Korean.

Earlier this month, Chung had described the ban as a "shameful attempt" to punish his open criticism of Fifa, which is mired in the worst corruption scandal in its 111-year history.

Fifa said it was pleased with the court's decision.

Chung can still appeal.

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