The IFBB Professional League has denied the reinstatement of Pro Bodybuilder Lee Priest to IFBB competition. The IFBB reviewed events pertinent to his case on October 2, 2007 before denying reinstatement.
Lee was suspended from IFBB competition for violation of Article 1.7 of the IFBB Professional League Rules prohibiting IFBB athletes from competing in non-sanctioned or non-approved "competition events" which:
"[i]ncludes, but is not limited to, competing, guest posing, giving a seminar, judging, officiating, endorsing or otherwise taking part in any capacity whatsoever in a non-approved or non-sanctioned competition or event. "
The initial suspension was the result of Lee's competition on September 16, 2006 in Wayne Demilia's PDI Night of the Champions.
Lee Priest was initially offered a 6-month suspension which he rejected due to pre-existing commitments he had made with PDI. Instead, he accepted a 12-month suspension.
Lee publicly announced his plans to compete in the 2008 Arnold Classic as it was widely assumed by Lee and most others that he would be re-admitted to IFBB competition after serving his 12-month suspension.
IFBB Pro League Athletes Representative Bob Cicherillo is requesting that the IFBB review the case again in another six months.
Lee Priest has no official comment on the IFBB's decision, stating "my fans' comments are enough I need say nothing more"! Fans of Lee Priest have expressed their disapproval of the IFBB's decision and created a grassroots petition for his reinstatement online.
Lee Priest Reinstatement To The IFBB
To: Pro Bodybuilding fans
Lee Priest (IFBB Professional Bodybuilder) has been suspended from competition for the last 12 months. He was recently up for reinstatement on October 2, 2007 but was denied. This angered his fans, and bodybuilding fans in general. This petition is to demand that Lee Priest be reinstated into the IFBB so that he can compete once again.
Sincerely,
Pro-division
