Michael van Praag (English)

KNVB president Michael van Praag has announced his candidacy to succeed Sepp Blatter as president of FIFA. Tuesday, 27th of January, his official candidacy letter, accompanied by the required five declarations of support from national associations backing Mr. Van Praag’s candidacy, were sent to FIFA headquarters in Zurich.

Michael van Praag on running for FIFA-presidency

Support national football associations

The national football associations of Belgium, Sweden, Scotland, Romania, the Faroe Islands and the Netherlands have given their support to Van Praag. "I would like to thank the football associations which have sent me letters of support. They are just as convinced as I am about the necessity to normalise operations at FIFA. With their support, I am looking forward to convincing my other colleagues about this too. I will try to convince these people, who I know well, that this is the right road to take for everyone. It has to be clear that this is not about me, nor is it about Sepp Blatter, or even FIFA itself. It is about the future of football. Because football is for everyone, and football belongs to everyone. Football, a game to love."

KNVB Secretary General Bert van Oostveen: "It is clear that FIFA needs to change to restore its credibility. Michael is the right man for this. The KNVB will fully support him in his campaign."

Support International Trade Union Confederation

Michael van Praag offers the best hope for improving conditions for the migrant workforce in Qatar, according to the International Trade Union Confederation. The ITUC compared the positions of all candidates for the FIFA presidency on three issues: workers’ rights in Qatar, work conditions at World Cup stadiums in the future, and corruption in football.

Only Michael van Praag has put human rights in his official election manifesto.

“Only one candidate, Michael van Praag, has put human rights in his official election manifesto. On that basis Mr van Praag offers the best hope today that FIFA will finally put real pressure on Qatar to reform its medieval labour laws,” ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow stated.

The chairman of the Dutch FNV trade union federation, Ton Heerts, says he is pleased with Mr Van Praag’s high score. "This is a favourable statement, in our view. Mr Van Praag passes the test when it comes to promoting human rights and fighting corruption. Amid all the depressing news, this should be seen as a positive message. He gets the green light from us for his candidacy."

Van Praag's speech Read the full text of Michael van Praag's candidacy speech.