Jerome Champagne has announced he is withdrawing from the race for the FIFA presidency after failing to receive the necessary backing, claiming some FAs had "feared reprisals" if they supported him.
Champagne had announced in January last year that he planned to challenge for the role currently held by Sepp Blatter, but he received the support of only three national associations, falling short of the five required to enter the voting.
Champagne announced his withdrawal in a letter to national associations where he blamed UEFA and the "institutions" mobilising to eliminate him.
"I regret to have to announce that I have not presented the five sponsorship letters needed to be registered as a candidate in the election of 29 May," the Frenchman said in a statement. "I warmly thank the three federations that have endorsed me and the many presidents who explained with candour and friendship, that they could not do it despite their interest in my program."
He added: "The institutions have mobilised to eliminate the only independent candidate. The latest events orchestrated in secret with barely veiled intentions by one of them, distributing letters of support between candidates, made me lose sponsorships, especially in Europe!
"The hidden agenda -- or not so hidden after all -- is clear: under the guise of reforming FIFA lies the objective of further weakening it in favour of continental structures. This at a time when a strong governance of football, with regulatory and redistributive powers, is needed more than ever. It constitutes the perennial vision of UEFA since 1998!
"It is also to pave the road for the wealthy actors of the West European football to get their hands on the last thing they do not control yet: FIFA and the world government of football."
FIFA confirmed on Monday that Blatter, who is seeking a fifth term and is the firm favourite to win the vote in May, faces competition from Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, Dutch FA chief Michael van Praag and former Portugal international Luis Figo, subject to integrity checks, which will be carried out within 10 days.
David Ginola had earlier withdrawn from the running after failing to gain the backing of five FAs.
Champagne said there had been a variety of reasons that he had not received the support he required, adding: "Because they feared reprisals from their confederations having issued 'recommendations.'
"Because their federations were candidates to host continental competitions. Because they relied too heavily on the financial support. Because they were committed to defend a united continental front.
"Because some of the presidents were themselves engaged in an election or simply preferred another candidate.
"I also note that I would have been a candidate with the old version of the rules, and that I cannot be one with the new modifications adopted in 2013 on a UEFA proposal.
"Despite the disappointment, I do not feel any bitterness because I know how the pyramidal structure of football works."
Champagne had worked at FIFA until 2010, when he was forced out of his role as director of international relations after figures at the organisation apparently felt he already had ambitions to run for the presidency and was over-stepping his responsibilities.
Information from the Press Association was used in this report