By Andrew Warshaw
May 19 – Dutch football chief Michael van Praag says he is running for UEFA president to put the organisation back on an even keel before handing over to someone younger.
Van Praag, 68, is the first candidate to officially throw his hat into the ring to take over the helm of European football from Michel Platini at elections in mid-September.
“UEFA at the moment needs a bridge-builder. I want to use my experience, network and knowledge to turn it into a cohesive unit again,” Van Praag said in a statement released in Basle after UEFA announced September14 as election day. “UEFA needs continuity, stability, credibility and leadership. That’s what you can expect of me.”
Deadline for submissions for is July 20 and the Dutch FA said van Praag, who was initially a candidate for the FIFA presidency before dropping out of the race, “wants to finish the remainder of Platini’s two-and-half year term and then step down to make space for a new, broadly supported chairman.”
“There are plenty of challenges, not least the threat of clubs who want to start their own league, the structure of the club competitions, human rights, discrimination, and the tremendous changes of commercial marketing in football,” van Praag added. “Also how UEFA can better support the national federations. “
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