Dutch FA President Michael van Praag to compete against Sepp Blatter for FIFA presidency

Dutch Football Association (FA) president Michael van Praag has revealed that he would stand against Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency, claiming that he had the 'necessary nominations' from five football associations.

67-year-old Van Praag revealed in a statement that it was 'high time that the world football governing organisation comes back into the real world'. Blatter, Van Praag, Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and possibly Jerome Champagne are set to be confirmed as candidates for the FIFA presidency after Thursday's deadline, the BBC reported.

Former France international David Ginola has also declared his intention to stand but might not gain the necessary support. Blatter had accused European football governing body UEFA of 'lacking the courage' to challenge his leadership. Van Praag, a former chairman of Ajax and a member of UEFA's executive committee who has the support of the Dutch FA, added that it is well known that he is 'very worried about FIFA'.

Van Praag claimed that he had hoped that a 'credible opponent' to Blatter would emerge, adding that in that case one cannot just talk but one must also act decisively and take responsibility so therefore he is announcing his candidacy.

Blatter has been FIFA president since 1998 and is seeking a fifth term in office, with the vote is set to take place in May, the report added.