Brazil soccer legend and former Japan national team coach Zico revealed he gave up his campaign for the FIFA presidency on Monday after failing to muster the required five association nominations.
"I had good response from at least six associations but moves within UEFA swayed things," said Zico on Brazilian local radio, explaining that a late bid by Gianni Infantino, the general secretary of the European soccer's administrative body, saw him lose vital backing.
Infantino, a 45-year-old Swiss, was given a unanimous backing by UEFA on Monday, hours before the deadline for candidates to announce their intention to run. The election to determine who replaces disgraced FIFA head Sepp Blatter will be held in February 2016.