Former Manchester United defender accepts defeat in bid to end corruption in Serbian football

Former Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic withdrew his bid to become Serbia football president on Monday.

It was announced earlier this week that Vidic was no longer in the running to clinch the top seat. The former centre-back had planned to tackle corruption in Serbian football.

As a result, former Red Star legend Dragon Dzajic has been elected president of the Serbian Football Association. It is believed that all 78 delegated attending the election voted for Dzajic, so the competition was pitiful to say the least.

That was because 76-year-old Dzajic was the only candidate for the post and he will take power for the next four years.

Vidic says he intends to stay within Serbian football.

On Monday, a statement from Vidic read (via The Washington Post): “Our soccer faces big challenges,” the 41-year-old said. “Many things must and can be improved. My idea was and remains to assemble a team of top professionals who are able to solve these challenges.

“Unfortunately, at every step of the way toward becoming the president of the (federation), it was made clear to me that we would not be given that chance.”

A big shame for Vidic and possibly Serbian football, too.