Suspended UEFA boss, Michel Platini has given up his bid to become the next FIFA President.

“I will not present myself for the presidency of FIFA. I am withdrawing my candidature. I no longer have the time nor the means to go to the voters, to meet people, to fight against the other candidates. In withdrawing, I am dedicating myself to my defence”  He told the Association Press yesterday

Platini and Sepp Blatter were suspended from all football-related activities following an ethics committee investigation. They were found guilty of breaches surrounding a £1.3m ($2m) “disloyal payment” made to Platini in 2011.

The 60-year-old added that his ban has made it impossible for him to campaign for votes.

“It is a question of the calendar, but not only that. How can you win an election when you are prevented from campaigning?”

The remaining contenders are Asian football head Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa of Bahrain, South African politician and tycoon Tokyo Sexwale, former FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin al Hussein of Jordan, UEFA general-secretary Gianni Infantino and Jerome Champagne , a former FIFA assistant general secretary from France. The new FIFA president will be revealed on February 26.