LONDON, Sept 7: England is backing Michael van Praag in next week's election to succeed Michel Platini as president of UEFA.

The 68-year-old Van Praag is in a head-to-head contest with Slovenian federation leader Aleksander Ceferin. Angel Maria Villar of Spain withdrew from the race on Tuesday.

English Football Association vice chairman David Gill says Van Praag "would be able to provide the strong and credible leadership European football requires at a crucial moment for the global game."

The UEFA vote will be Sept. 14 in Athens. France and Germany have backed Ceferin.

Gill, who is also a UEFA vice president like Van Praag, says the Dutchman is the "right choice to bring all aspects of the European game closer together."

 
• england
 
• michael van praag
 
• next week's election
 
• succeed
 
• michel platini