Tokyo Sexwale withdraws from FIFA presidential race

Tokyo Sexwale withdraws from the race to become the new FIFA president

Tokyo Sexwale has withdrawn from the race to become the next president of FIFA.

In his speech, Sexwale said: "My candidacy ends today, I end my participation, I leave you four candidates.

"My campaign is suspended as of now."

That came moments after Sexwale said: "If Gianni wins it will be a party. If Jerome wins it will be a party. If Sheikh Salman wins it will be a party. If Prince Ali wins it will be a party. But if I win, it will be a greater party!"

FIFA is currently in the process of electing a successor to Sepp Blatter, who resigned the presidency, a role he had held since 1998, with an announcement due this afternoon.

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South African businessman Sexwale has left the election before the first round of voting, leaving Prince Ali, Sheikh Salman, Jerome Champagne and Gianni Infantino on the ballot.

Sexwale, the final candidate to give his 15-minute pre-election speech, used the platform to confirm his withdrawal from the race.

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"It was a surprise but he wasn't likely to get more than five votes," Sky Sports News HQ reporter Kaveh Solhekol said. "I don't think he wanted to stand there in front of the world and finish last.

"He is a proud man and he probably would have been humiliated, so he's pulled out in a very graceful way."

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