Madrid, May 21 (IANS): Dutch Football Federation president Michael van Praag confirmed on Thursday his withdrawal from the FIFA presidential race and announced his support for Jordanian Prince Ali bin al-Hussein in the elections slated for late May.
Van Praag confirmed his withdrawal in a statement and announced that he would explain his decision at a press conference later on Thursday, reports Efe.
Three candidates remain for the post -- incumbent president Sepp Blatter, who has held office since 1998, Portuguese former player Luis Figo, and Prince al-Hussein, the current vice-president of FIFA.
After declaring his candidacy last January, van Praag claimed that FIFA's credibility was in question and guaranteed that if he became president, he would implement transparency in its management.
The elections will be held on May 29 in Zurich.