FIFA president election: Sepp Blatter refuses to support any of the five candidates

New Delhi: Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Thursday ruled out backing any of the five candidates in line to occupy world football's all-powerful seat.

Interestingly, the Swiss claims to have been approached by four of the contenders to discuss about their respective bids for the presidency.

"Four of the five candidates have spoken to me. I cannot take sides, that is not possible," Blatter told French radio RMC.

Having been banned for eight years for ethics violations, Blatter himself was forced out of the race.

The 79-year-old also said that several federations had sought his opinion over backing any particular candidate. Blatter asked them to vote for whoever they wanted.

Bahraini Royal Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino of Switzerland are the two front-runners.

The others in the race include Jordan's Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Frenchman Jerome Champagne, the former deputy general secretary of FIFA, and South African businessman and politician Tokyo Sexwale.

FIFA's new boss will be elected on February 26.