Figueroa out of FIFA presidential race

Former Chile captain Elias Figueroa will not stand against Sepp Blatter and Mohamed Bin Hammam in the FIFA presidential elections.

Figueroa, 64, was the preferred candidate of a group called Change FIFA, which advocates reform in the governing body.

The group wished to provide an alternative to incumbent Blatter and Asian Football Confederation chief Bin Hammam.

Figueroa had said last week that he was considering the proposal and had the backing of at least one national football association.

But the Chilean, who appeared in three World Cups and was also voted South American footballer of the year on three occasions in the 1970s, eventually decided not to run.

“I have decided not to accept (the presidential nomination)… for the sole reason that I’m sure with such a short time in which to state a case I could not prepare one worthy of the magnitude and importance of such a distinguished job,” Figueroa said in a statement Wednesday.