News / Sports

Van Praag withdraws FIFA presidential candidacy

Friday, 22 May 2015 7:26 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 22 May 2015 7:26 AM ]

Dutch Football Federation President Michael van Praag (R) is shaking hands with FIFA presidential candidate and member of its executive committee Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan.

Incumbent FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter is now officially left with only one rival to compete for the top job in the upcoming elections as another candidate Michael van Praag has pulled out of the race.

The Dutch football association President confirmed on Thursday that he and former Portugal international Luis Figo, who pulled out earlier, are withdrawing in favor of member of FIFA's executive committee Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan. Van Praag added the move is aimed at strengthening unity behind the Jordanian to unseat Blatter after 4 terms in charge of the sport’s governing body in exchange for Prince Ali’s using parts of their programs if he is elected president.

Incumbent FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter is running for a 5th term in office.

79-year-old Blatter came to power back in 1998. He had previously said the current term would be his last in office. But, later he announced that he will run for FIFA president for a 5th time and, in order to do that, he seems to enjoy promises of support from 5 of the world body’s 6 continental confederations. However, UEFA has announced that it will not back another Blatter candidacy.

Under its incumbent Swiss chief, FIFA’s legitimacy has come under serious question in recent years as it was hit by a series of scandals and controversies, ranging from corruption in the bidding process of FIFA World Cups 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar to giving 25,000-dollar watches as gifts to executive committee members at the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil.

AZ/NN

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