Spain's Villar drops out of UEFA presidential poll

Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Angel Maria Villar has announced his decision to withdraw from the race for the European football governing body UEFA's presidency.

"While I have received a great amount of support to continue my campaign, after a profound reflection I have decided to withdraw my bid," Villar said in a statement posted on the Spanish football federation's website on Tuesday, reports Sputnik.

Dutch football chief Michael van Praag and Slovenian Football Association head Aleksander Ceferin remain the only contestants for the post.

The election has been set for September 14 at an Extraordinary UEFA Congress in Athens, Greece.

Former UEFA President Michel Platini was handed 8-year suspensions last December for their role in a major football corruption scandal.

It erupted after Swiss authorities opened a criminal case against Blatter in September 2015 over a payment of 2 million Swiss francs ($2.03 million) that he made to Platini.

However, later, Platini's ban was reduced to four years.

--IANS

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