Fifa presidential candidate Michael van Praag has stood down from his election campaign to support Prince Ali bin-Hussein’s attempt to oust Sepp Blatter, Goal reports..
Eight days before May 29’s election, the Dutch FA 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.
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 Blatter, the Swiss is expected to stay in power at Fifa 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 set to vote for third candidate Luis Figo.
