Figo pulls out of FIFA race saying 'soccer will not emerge the winner'

The battle for the FIFA presidency will be a two-horse race after Luis Figo joined Michael van Praag in withdrawing his candidacy today.

Dutch Football Association president Van Praag earlier pulled out of the race and gave his backing to Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who will now go head to head with Sepp Blatter for the top job in world football.

Former Portugal international Figo then issued a lengthy and scathing statement on his Facebook page, in which he said: "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.

“My decision is made, I will not stand in what is being called an election for the FIFA presidency.”