Speaking at a press conference at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam, Van Praag, a former chairman of Ajax and a member of UEFA's Executive Committee, said he initially wants to "normalise" FIFA, which has been marred by controversy in recent times.

The turmoil within FIFA deepened last month when the man hired to investigate the allegation-riddled bidding processes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the former United States attorney Michael Garcia, resigned in protest of the handling of his report.

Van Praag said he will be presenting his "FIFA normalisation agenda 2015-2019", backed up by "a sound financial budget", next month.

"As soon as a football association gets into political difficulties, a so-called 'normalisation committee' is set up to solve the problem," said van Praag.

"It is time that FIFA applied this tool to its own organisation.

"Because FIFA is stuck in deadlock.

"FIFA is doing badly and has lost all credibility.

"FIFA is constantly under suspicion.

"Of conflicts of interest, of nepotism, of corruption.

"FIFA has its back to the future."

Michael van Praag said he has nothing against current FIFA President Sepp Blatter
©Getty Images



Van Praag confirmed that he has sent his candidacy letter, with accompanying declarations of support from the national Football Associations of Belgium, Sweden, Scotland, Romania, the Faroe Islands and The Netherlands, to FIFA's headquarters in Zurich.

"As President of FIFA, I want to hold on to the good things FIFA has achieved, but I also want to do things differently to Mr Blatter," said van Praag.

"You can see this in the countries I have chosen to ask to back me.

"For me they represent a cross-section of Europe's football landscape, they are diverse in every way.

"That is also how I see my candidacy: I want to be a President for all countries."

Earlier this week, Blatter accused UEFA of "lacking the courage" to forward a candidate to challenge him in the election, which is scheduled to take place at the FIFA Congress on May 29.

The 78-year-old Swiss is vying for a fifth term at the head of FIFA, and although van Praag said he has "nothing against" him, he's convinced it's time for a change.

"Someone who has led an organisation for so many years and who has become the personification of its poor image, can no longer be the face of a modernisation operation or of a 'new FIFA'," said van Praag. 

"Every organisation in the world leaves a reorganisation of this magnitude to a new face.

"And this has to be done at FIFA too."

During the FIFA Congress in São Paulo in June of last year, Blatter was criticised by a number of leading European football officials in a fiery session, with van Praag telling him "you should not run anymore".

"I have been calling for a new President for quite some time now," he said.  

"Of course,one can decide to remain a mere commentator.

"But I believe the time has come to follow the strength of my convictions.

"To take responsibility.

"For this reason, I have put myself forward as a candidate."

Former Portugal captain Luis Figo announced his intention to run for FIFA Presidency yesterday ©Getty Images





Van Praag also revealed that he spoke to Blatter about his ambition to become President at the beginning of this month, and even offered him an advisory role under his leadership.

Although van Praag said Blatter had already informed him that he does not wish to take up the offer, he insisted it still stands as he believes it is important to include the incumbent in his plans. 

Van Praag ranks the expansion of the World Cup, to include more countries from outside of Europe, and tackling the problem of match fixing, as two of his main goals. 

He is also keen to make FIFA more transparent by publishing its expenses, including those of his own if he is elected President.

Former Portugal captain Luis Figo yesterday announced that he will run for FIFA Presidency, with France's former FIFA Executive Jérôme Champagne and Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein also set to stand against Blatter, who has officially entered the race today, on the proviso that they're all endorsed by at least five National Associations by 11pm GMT tonight.  

The list of qualified candidates for the election will be made public on February 7 or 8, according to Blatter. 

The election is due to take place during the FIFA Congress in Zurich on May 29. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]