Fifa presidential candidate Michael van Praag has stood down from his election campaign to support Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein's attempt to oust Sepp Blatter. The Dutch FA president has thrown his support behind fellow candidate Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, not incumbent Sepp Blatter "Michael van Praag has decided, after long consideration with stakeholeders and third parties that he withdraw his candidacy for the Fifa presidency," the KNVB said in a statement. "He will support the bid of Prince Ali Al Hussein now. Eight days before May 29's election, the Dutch FA (KNVB) chief has chosen to back out of the race to run world football's governing body, and he is expected to elaborate on his decision at a press conference on Thursday.
"An explanation on his decision will be held during an international press conference in Amsterdam. Michael van Praag will give his explanation on his decision and Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein will speak as well." Van Praag's decision to stand aside is believed to be an attempt to unite opposition against Blatter, who is hugely unpopular among football fans and has presided over a Fifa that gave World Cup hosting rights to Russia and Qatar amid corruption and bribery claims.
Despite the negative publicity surrounding the reigning Fifa chief, the Swiss is expected to stay in power unless there is a seismic shift in the week leading up the election. Van Praag will be hoping his backing of Jordan's Prince Ali bin-Hussein will pool for votes against Blatter, though some FAs are still set to vote for third candidate Luis Figo.Blatter has been in charge of Fifa since 1998 and had promised to make this current term his last, before reneging on that statement to announce his intention to run for a fifth time.
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