AMSTERDAM (AP) – FIFA presidential candidate Michael van Praag withdrew from the May 29 election against Sepp Blatter on Thursday, switching his support to FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan.
The Dutch soccer federation president said in a statement he will explain his decision at a news conference later Thursday.
“After thorough deliberation and reflection with different involved parties and stakeholders, Michael van Praag decided to withdraw his candidacy to become the next FIFA president and to join forces with presidential candidate Prince Ali,” his campaign team said.
Former Portugal great Luis Figo remains the third candidate in the election.
“(FIFA) is doing badly and has lost all credibility,” Van Praag said when launching his campaign in January. “FIFA is constantly under suspicion. Of conflicts of interest, of nepotism, of corruption.”