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FIFA candidate Van Praag withdraws to support Prince Ali

AMSTERDAM (AP) -- FIFA presidential candidate Michael van Praag has withdrawn from the May 29 election against Sepp Blatter.

Van Praag says in a statement he has switched his support to Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan.

The Dutch soccer federation president says he will explain his decision at a news conference later Thursday.

Former Portugal great Luis Figo remains the third candidate in the election.

Blatter is strongly favored to win a fifth presidential term.

  • Michael van Praag

Beijing officials 'perplexed' at Gatlin claim

Beijing World Challenge organisers said they were "perplexed" by comments from Justin Gatlin on Wednesday after the controversial American sprinter claimed he was expelled from the meeting.