Michel Platini has announced he will be stepping down from FIFA's presidential election race on Thursday following his suspension from the position of UEFA president.
Rob Harris of the Associated Press broke the news:
BREAKING @AP_Sports: Suspended UEFA president Michel Platini tells The Associated Press he is withdrawing from FIFA presidential election .
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) January 7, 2016
Platini to @AP_Sports: "I have not been given the chance to play the game. Bye bye FIFA, bye bye FIFA presidency." https://t.co/nUPB9fyWqe
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) January 7, 2016
The Frenchman was banned from all footballing activity in December by FIFA's ethics committee.