Figo pulls out of FIFA election

Former Portugal international, Luis Figo, has joined Michael van Praag in withdrawing from the FIFA presidential election on May 29.

The 42-year-old pulled out on the same day as Van Pragg to set the stage for a two-horse race between Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan and incumbent Sepp Blatter.

Figo complained about the electoral process.

“This process is anything but an election,” he said.

“This process is a plebiscite for the delivery of absolute power to one man – something I refuse to go along with.

“I travelled and met extraordinary people who, though they recognised the value of much that had been done, also concurred with the need for change, one that cleans up FIFA’s reputation as an obscure organisation that is so often viewed as a place of corruption.

“But over the past few months I have not only witnessed that desire [for change], I have witnessed consecutive incidents, all over the world, that should shame anyone who desires soccer to be free, clean and democratic.

“I have seen with my own eyes federation presidents who, after one day comparing FIFA leaders to the devil, then go on stage and compare those same people with Jesus Christ. Nobody told me about this. I saw it with my own eyes.”

The former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder also questioned the process in which a main candidate – Blatter – had not produced a manifesto, “so that federation presidents know what they’re voting for”.

“There has not been a single public debate about each candidate’s proposals.”

The vote will be held in Zurich at FIFA’s annual congress and requires the winner to secure a two-thirds majority in the first round of voting. If subsequent rounds are required then a simple majority is all that is required for victory.

Each of FIFA’s 209 member associations has a vote in the election.

Blatter has been FIFA president since 1998 and is favourite to win a fifth term.