Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/643092
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2016 49 FIFA has rejected a demand from a presidential candidate to use transparent voting booths at next week 's election to ensure delegates do not photograph their ballot papers when they choose the head of football 's world ruling body. The request came from Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who said he would take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), sport's highest tri- bunal. Prince Ali wanted to ensure that transparent booths were used at the Feb. 26 election "to safeguard the full transparency of the electoral proceedings", he said in a statement released by his French-based law yer. FIFA's 209 member national associations (FAs) each hold one vote at the election where Prince Ali is among five candi- dates standing to replace outgo- ing President Sepp Blatter, who is banned for eight years amid a graft scandal that has shaken football 's global governing body. Under FIFA statutes, voting is secret. The statement said Domenico Scala, head of FIFA's electoral committee, had admitted to Prince Ali in correspondence that the voters could produce evidence of their vote by using a mobile phone. Scala rejected transparent booths, however, and said mem- bers would be reminded that voting is secret and told to hand over mobile phones and cameras before doing so. "He (Scala) has said it is enough just to tell them they must not do so, and has rejected Prince Ali 's request to use transparent voting booths," the statement said, adding that there was an "absence of any dedicated sys- tem to detect potential viola- tions of this rule." A spokesman for the electoral committee declined to com- ment. Jerome Champagne, another presidential candidate, said this week that FAs were under pres- sure to vote for certain candi- dates and some had been asked to provide evidence of their vote. Prince Ali has also said that FAs face reprisals if they fail to tow certain political lines. "Development projects myste- riously stall; tournament host- ing bids are suddenly compro- mised or withdrawn; national teams start to mysteriously face less favourable fixtures or and even referees," he said last week. Sports FOOTBALL Hull hold firm to force replay against wasteful Arsenal FA Cup holders Arsenal will face a fifth-round replay at Sky Bet Championship promotion-chasers Hull after being held to a frustrat- ing goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners created a host of chances in a one-sided clash but were unable to make the break- through, with Hull goalkeeper El- din Jakupovic in outstanding form. Jakupovic made a string of fine saves, including one fine fingertip on to the post from a Joel Campbell free-kick, while Arsenal also had two penalty appeals turned down. Both sides made numerous changes - nine by Arsenal by 10 for Hull - indicating priorities lay elsewhere, but the teams were fully committed. In all Arsenal had 24 shots to their opponents' six as they continually pressed, but Hull's performance was one of great resilience. Another Championship side, Reading, provided the upset of the day as they came from behind to beat Premier League West Brom 3-1. After a goalless first half, Dar- ren Fletcher looked to have put the Baggies on course for the quarter- finals when he broke the deadlock in the 53th minute. But Paul McShane grabbed a quick reply as he headed home from an Oliver Norwood free-kick and Michael Hector repeated that feat to put the Royals ahead 18 minutes from time. Saido Berahino and Fletcher had late chances as West Brom sought an equaliser but Chelsea loanee Lucas Piazon settled it in injury time. Everton kept their season alive as goals from Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku fired them into the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win at Bournemouth. Barkley struck early in the sec- ond half with a heavily-deflected strike and Lukaku wrapped up the victory with his 21st goal of the season. They were also indebted to goal- keeper Joel Robles, who kept out a first-half penalty from Charlie Daniels to keep the sides level at the interval. Watford saw off Championship Leeds courtesy of an own goal from Scott Wootton early in the second half. Wootton miscued a clearance and turned into his own net from a Ben Watson cross after 53 min- utes. Leeds were unable to get back into the game and Etienne Ca- poue, who earlier had a goal dis- allowed, spurned a late chance to make Watford's victory more convincing. FIFA rejects demand for transparent voting booths at election Jordanian Prince Ali bin al-Hussein