FIFA allows alleged torturer to run for president, but not Michel Platini

On Thursday, FIFA announced the five candidates for president that had passed their integrity checks. Notably absent from that list is UEFA president Michel Platini, who is currently suspended for taking an alleged unlawful payment. Musa Bility was also excluded due to a ban for using confidential CAF documents in a legal case.

Sheikh Salman of Bahrain passed the integrity checks despite criticism from Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations. He once headed up a committee that identified pro-democracy athletes who were later tortured for their political beliefs.

While Salman denies the allegations and has not been convicted of a crime, FIFA is not a court of law. They could have decided that Salman poses a risk to the organization and not approved him because they felt like it. Now, an alleged torturer might become FIFA president.

Sepp Blatter’s not looking so bad now, is he?

Netherlands youth goalkeeper Indy Groothuizen scored a stoppage time header. (r/soccer)

Former Premier League goalkeeper Marton Fulop has died from cancer at age 32. (BBC)

NBA, NHL owner Josh Harris is investing in Crystal Palace. (Guardian)

Dortmund star Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has been injured on international duty. (Bundesliga)

Here’s a fun rumor: Roman Abramovich wants to sell a bunch of his stars to buy Cristiano Ronaldo. (AS)

The Euro 2016 match ball has been released. (Telegraph)

Andrew Flint on the history of soccer in Calcutta. (These Football Times)

Mark Murphy on the never-ending Rangers tax case. (Two Hundred Percent)

Glen Billingham on the Anglo-Italian Cup. (The Gentlemen Ultra)

Euro qualifying: Norway vs. Hungary (2:45 p.m.) -- Yes, Martin Odegaard is in the Norway team.

CONMEBOL WCQs: Four games (from 3 p.m.) -- The big one is Argentina vs. Brazil at 7 p.m.