Agent Mino Raiola drops Fifa presidency bid

The Hague: Dutchman Mino Raiola on Wednesday dropped plans to challenge Sepp Blatter for Fifa’s presidency, throwing himself behind the nationally-endorsed bid of fellow countryman Michael van Praag.

Van Praag on Monday announced his bid to oust Blatter in the upcoming May elections and said on Wednesday he’s secured the backing of the Royal Dutch Football Association, as well as those of Belgium, Sweden, Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Romania.

“It’s not about me. It’s about securing a good candidate,” the popular tabloid Algemeen Dagblad quoted Raiola as saying after announcing his withdrawal.

The Italian-born Raiola, 47, is agent to top footballers including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mario Balotelli and Paul Pogba.

“We now have a good candidate,” said the Italian-born Raiola, 47, who last week said he considered challenging Blatter on a campaign for more openness within the world football governing body.