Paris - Luis Figo and Michael van Praag pulled out of the race for the FIFA presidency Thursday, leaving controversial incumbent Sepp Blatter in a straight fight with Jordan's Prince Ali bin al Hussein.
Former Portuguese international captain Figo withdrew with a bitter broadside at the contentious election campaign.
"I do not fear the ballot box, but I will not go along with nor will I give my consent to a process which will end on May 29 and from which soccer will not emerge the winner," Figo wrote on his Facebook page.
"My decision is made, I will not stand in what is being called an election for the FIFA presidency."
Dutch FIFA presidential candidate van Praag also announced he was dropping his bid, saying he will back Prince Ali instead in the vote on May 29.
"After thorough deliberation and reflection with different involved parties and stakeholders, Michael van Praag decided to withdraw his candidacy to become the next FIFA president," his public relations team said in a statement.
Van Praag will now "join forces with presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al Hussein," said the statement, issued from Amsterdam.
Figo used his Facebook announcement to condemn what he believes are double-standards in football's global ruling bodies.
"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," he wrote.
"The candidates were prevented from addressing federations at congresses while one of the candidates always gave speeches on his own from the rostrum.
"Does anyone think it's normal that an election for one of the most relevant organizations on the planet can go ahead without a public debate?
AFP
