Michel Platini has confirmed that he will not be contesting for FIFA presidency anymore, so he can clear his name, following an eight-year ban from football-related activities.
The former France international is desperate to appeal the sanction slammed on him by FIFA’s ethics committee, over an alleged “disloyal payment” made by Sepp Blatter in 2011.
“I am no longer putting myself forward to be president of Fifa, I have withdrawn my candidacy,” he told French newspaper, L’Equipe.
“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.”
With the elections scheduled to hold February 26, Platini feels he will not have enough time to campaign properly.
“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?”
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