Sexwale withdraws from FIFA presidency

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]JOHANNESBURG – FIFA presidential candidate Tokyo Sexwale has withdrawn from running for the FIFA presidency.

“I’ll surprise you..my campaign ends today, and I suspend my participation,” Sexwale announced during his speech in Zurich Friday.

Tokyo Sexwale of South Africa has decided to drop out of the election for FIFA President. Four candidates remain: https://t.co/e8M2XHHuYt

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) February 26, 2016

Four candidates are left in the race to replace the embattled Sepp Blatter.

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Sheik Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Jerome Champagne of France, Gianni Infantino of Italy will battle it out for the top post.

Sexwale announced his intention last year to for the FIFA presidency after receiving the endorsement of the South African Football Association  National Executive Committee.

Sexwale submitted his candidature papers to Fifa after receiving the unanimous backing of his national federation, he said at a news conference in Johannesburg last year.

“We must regain the trust of the public and the community out there so that FIFA can be the incredible organisation it was when it started.

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“It was a good run for me to run alongside the others. My campaign is suspended as from now,” concluded Sexwale.

Here are the remaining four candidates:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2766″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text](FIFA presidential candidate, French Jerome Champagne. EPA/JULIEN WARNAND)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2765″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text](UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino. Alain Grosclaude / AFP)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2768″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text](Prince Ali bin al Hussein of Jordan. AFP PHOTO / Michael Bradley)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”2767″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text](The President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Shaikh Salman. AFP PHOTO / Sajjad Hussain)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Quite like hear from all those people talking about Tokyo Sexwale having “balls” last night. Sadly… #fifaelection @changefifa

— Neal Collins (@nealcol) February 26, 2016

Sexwale has a plan, he’s being smart. Saw he wasn’t going to win, his withdrawal is him thinking long-term.

“Open to alliances”, he said.

— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) February 26, 2016

Tokyo Sexwale announces on the podium that he’s pulling out of the #FIFAPresidentialElection. Exactly what was the point?

— Barney Mthombothi (@mthombothi) February 26, 2016

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