Michel Platini has withdrawn his candidacy for the FIFA presidency in order
to clear his name over allegations of corruption.
Platini is currently serving an eight-year ban from all football-related
activity, a sanction handed down by the FIFA Ethics Committee, over an
alleged “disloyal payment” made by Sepp Blatter to the Frenchman in 2011.
In an interview with French sports newspaper L’Equipe, an extract of which
was published on Thursday, he said: “I no longer put myself forward to be
president of FIFA, I have withdrawn my candidacy.
“I cannot do it, I do not have the time to see voters, meet people, to fight
with the others.
“By removing myself, I have made the choice to dedicate myself to my defence
against a dossier in which there is no mention of corruption, of
falsification, forgery, where there is nothing any more.”
The election to replace Blatter, who is also serving an eight-year ban, at
the head of the world game is scheduled for February 26.
Platini says the timeframe is simply too tight although that is not the only
reason he is backing out.
“There is a timing issue but it’s not just that,” he added.
“How can one win an election when you are unable to campaign?”
Platini has hinted he will take his case to the Court of Arbitration for
Sport (CAS) but has been told by FIFA that route is closed until the
governing body’s appeals committee first rejects his request.
Platini’s withdrawal means Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Jerome Champagne,
Gianni Infantino, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa and Tokyo Sexwale will
stand in the election.
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