Jerome Champagne out of FIFA presidential race

The Frenchman said that he had won the backing of only three national associations for his bid to unseat Sepp Blatter, rather than the five stipulated in the rules.              

"I regret to have to announce that I have not presented the five sponsorship letters needed to be registered as a candidate in the election of 29 May," he said in a statement. 

“I warmly thank the three federations that have endorsed me and the many presidents who explained with candor and friendship, that they could not do it despite their interest in my program.

“The reasons were numerous. Because they feared reprisals from their confederations having issued "recommendations". Because their federations were candidates to host continental competitions. Because they relied too heavily on the financial support. Because they were committed to defend a united continental front. Because some of the presidents were themselves engaged in an election or simply preferred another candidate.

“The institutions have mobilised to eliminate the only independent candidate. The latest events orchestrated in secret with barely veiled intentions by one of them, distributing letters of support between candidates, made me lose sponsorships especially in Europe!

“I also note that I would have been a candidate with the old version of the rules, and that I cannot be one with the new modifications adopted in 2013 on a UEFA proposal. Despite the disappointment, I do not feel any bitterness because I know how the pyramidal structure of football works.