Sepp Blatter's Rival Michael van Praag Hails his Resignation
The 67-year-old Dutchman -- who withdrew from the FIFA presidential election the week before the vote -- said he wasn't sure whether he would run again for the post which will be voted on at an extraordinary congress.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: June 03, 2015 01:01 AM IST
Sepp Blatter's stunning u-turn on remaining president of football's world governing body FIFA on Tuesday is 'very good news' according to one of his rivals for the recent election, Dutch football chief Michael van Praag.(Complete resignation statement)
The 67-year-old Dutchman -- who withdrew from the FIFA presidential election the week before the vote -- said he wasn't sure whether he would run again for the post which will be voted on at an extraordinary congress.(Will not forget what UEFA did against me: Sepp Blatter)
"I am going to first of all meet with different parties in Berlin (at the executive board meeting of European football's governing body UEFA on Saturday the day of the showpiece Champions League final)," said van Praag.(Platini's UEFA and Blatter's FIFA - Two squabbling lovers)
"Then I will be able to clarify my plans," he was quoted as saying on Dutch newspapers Algemeen Dagblad and De Telegraaf websites.(FIFA claims innocence in $10 million funds transfer)
Van Praag had pulled out of the contest, along with former Portuguese football great Luis Figo, to allow Jordanian Prince Ali bin al Hussein to be Blatter's sole opponent but on condition that a number of his proposals be taken up.(Will not forget what UEFA did against me: Sepp Blatter)
This included human rights aspects for workers employed to build stadiums and limiting the mighty world federation's presidency to two terms only.