South African Tokyo Sexwale has withdrawn from the election to become the new president of FIFA.
Sexwale had little chance of succeeding Sepp Blatter at the head of the world game and decided to stand aside prior to Friday’s vote.
His decision leaves Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, Gianni Infantino, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein and Jerome Champagne as the remaining four candidates.
Sexwale made the announcement as he brought to an end his speech to the FIFA Congress in Zurich.
The 62-year-old, who was imprisoned along with fellow apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela at the notorious Robben Island jail, said: “I’m a candidate of consensus, I’m a candidate of unity. I reflect the views of my country as a candidate of reconciliation.
“You don’t have to elect me as president. I’ve got a surprise for you – my campaign ends today and I suspend my participation.
“I leave only four people. It’s your problem now. Tokyo Sexwale will not go further to cause a division because I’m a candidate of bringing people together.
“Out of the four, decide which one we will elect as president and I will serve under such a man – one day I hope a president will be a woman. I believe in unity the Mandela way.”
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