Bin Hammam was the only candidate due to challenge incumbent FIFA chairman Sepp Blatter for the post, but has decided to relinquish his quest a few days before the elections.

The chairman of the Asian football association, along with FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, is set to face the Ethics Committee on Sunday.

Bin Hammam, who asked not to relate his withdrawal to the imminent investigation, was accused by a FIFA executive committee member of ‘violating ethics code’ after organizing a special meeting with Warner regarding the upcoming election.

Hurt and disappointed

"I made the decision to run for the FIFA presidency because I was and remain committed to change within FIFA,” the 62-year-old said in a statement.

"I set out my goals and ambitions clearly -- to further the cause of democracy within FIFA -- through a commitment to transparency and accountability; through a commitment to expand the number of officials and nations involved in decision-making processes.

"In addition to this, I wanted to spark a debate about change in FIFA. For the good of football, I wanted the future to be bright for our world's governing body and for it to adapt to the ever-changing world we live in today.

"However, recent events have left me hurt and disappointed -- on a professional and personal level.

"It saddens me that standing up for the causes that I believed in has come at a great price -- the degradation of FIFA's reputation. This is not what I had in mind for FIFA and this is unacceptable.

"I cannot allow the name that I loved to be dragged more and more in the mud because of competition between two individuals.

"The game itself and the people who love it around the world must come first. It is for this reason that I announce my withdrawal from the presidential election.”