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ESPN staff 9y

Prince Ali welcomes Van Praag in election race for FIFA presidency

FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan has offered a diplomatic welcoming to the news that Dutch football-chief Michael Van Praag is putting himself forward for the FIFA presidential elections due to take place in May.

Van Praag led a European rebellion against Sepp Blatter last summer and Prince Ali sees it as a good for the credibility of FIFA.

"We welcome other credible colleagues from the football family who want to join a debate about the future of FIFA," he told Inside World Football.

"This election campaign is not about personalities, it is about what is in the best interests of football and the world governing body of the game going forward. It is good for democracy that Michael Van Praag has made this announcement."

Prince Ali, currently a member of the FIFA executive committee and the AFC vice-president, remains the biggest threat to Blatter even though he does not have the full backing of his own confederation -- although he is likely to get backing from the English FA.

FIFA World Player of the Year Luis Figo joins former FIFA official Jerome Champagne and former France and Tottenham player David Ginola on the list of candidates but Blatter remains the overwhelming favourite to secure a fifth term.

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