Champagne had expressed concerns last month that he did not have the required support to enter the race and his announcement today confirms those fears have been realised.

Candidates need written nominations from five National Football Associations in order to run for the sport's top job.

Champagne claimed he had three of the five required nominations but that other Federations were fearful of a backlash if they supported him.

The 56-year-old's withdrawal means Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, Dutchman Michael van Praag and former World Player of the Year Luis Figo will be the only challengers to current President Sepp Blatter.

"The institutions have mobilised to eliminate the only independent candidate," Champagne said in a letter.

"I warmly thank the three Federations that have endorsed me and the many presidents who explained with candour and friendship, that they could not do it despite their interest in my programme.

"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.

"Despite the disappointment, I do not feel any bitterness because I know how the pyramidal structure of football works."

Former Portuguese international Luis Figo became the latest candidate to enter the race and will bid to oust current President Sepp Blatter in the election in Zurich in May ©Getty Images



Prince Ali, Van Praag and Figo's campaigns, which all focus on reforming a governing body that has been plagued with a miasma of corruption allegations in recent years, all have support from UEFA.

"The slogans put forward by the three candidates supported by UEFA clearly show that no-one dares to question the central cause of the current problems of football," Champagne added.

"It is most likely the price of this support and proof that it is not about football, but a purely political game.

"The hidden agenda - or not so hidden after all - is clear: under the guise of reforming FIFA lies the objective of further weakening it in favour of continental structures.

"This at a time when a strong governance of football, with regulatory and redistributive powers, is needed more than ever."

Despite the three challengers Blatter remains the clear favourite to secure a fifth term in office as FIFA President ©Getty Images



Champagne insisted in the same letter that he will continue to "campaign for a more open and transparent FIFA", and he recently spoke at the launch of the "New FIFA Now" group, who are attempting to bring change to world football's governing body.

Last week, former France international David Ginola also announced his withdrawal from the race, although his campaign, backed financially by a bookmaker, was widely denounced as a publicity stunt from the beginning. 

Van Praag, who is the head of the Dutch FA, has vowed to "modernise" FIFA in a single four-year term and the announcement of his candidacy came after Blatter had accused UEFA of lacking the "courage" to challenge him.

The Swiss is bidding to secure a fifth term in office and he remains the red-hot favourite to keep hold of a position that he has held since 1998.

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