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Michael van Praag
Michael van Praag
Michael van Praag
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Michael van Praag (born 28 September 1947) is a Dutch football administrator and former referee. He was the President of the Royal Dutch Football Association from 27 August 2008 to December 2019 and a Vice President of the UEFA since 30 June 2015. Van Praag previously served as Chairman of Ajax from 1989 until 2003.[1][2]

Key Information

Career

[edit]
Van Praag (centre) with Arie van Os and Uri Coronel (left)

Van Praag was born in Amsterdam. He was Chairman of Ajax from 1989 until mid-2003. His father, Jaap van Praag, was also Chairman of the Amsterdam club from 1964 until 1978. Originally, Van Praag was a referee in the Amateur football leagues of the Netherlands and he later made his fortune with his franchise electronic stores that were situated in various airports before he became the chairman of the club.[3]

The period in which Van Praag was Chairman of the club was one of the most successful in the club's history, second only to the tenure served by his father. Ajax won the UEFA Cup in 1992, and the UEFA Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup titles in 1995 under Van Praag's administration. On 27 August 2008, he was chosen as the new chairman of the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) succeeding the previous chairman Jeu Sprengers who had died in April. His predecessor during his tenure at Ajax was Ton Harmsen and he was succeeded by John Jaakke.

Van Praag is a member of the Executive Committee of UEFA, the Chairman of the association's Club Competitions Committee and is a Deputy Chairman of the HatTrick Committee.[4][5] He and his father are the only father and son chairmen combination to have both led their club to continental success with Ajax winning a combined four European championships under their guidance.

FIFA and UEFA presidential bids

[edit]
Van Praag during his visit in Iran in 2016

On 26 January 2015, Van Praag announced his intention to run against incumbent Sepp Blatter in the 2015 FIFA presidential election. Van Praag stated: "I am very worried about the deteriorating situation at FIFA. The public opinion, the trustworthiness, is very bad, and with me a lot of people in the world believe so."[6] He was seen as a consensus and reliable candidate, supporting a limitation of the powers attributed to the FIFA President. He campaigned on the publication of the Garcia Report and a new Executive Committee vote if the 2022 World Cup attribution corruption allegations were to be proved. He also advocated for less bureaucracy in Zurich and a regulation of workers' conditions in football stadiums. He stated he would not seek reelection if elected.

On 21 May 2015, just a few days before the elections, he announced his withdrawal from FIFA presidential race to support Ali bin Hussein, stating he believed he had the best shot at the presidency. Candidate Luís Figo did the same.[7] Blatter was however reelected, although he had to resign four days after the election because of corruption allegations.

Later that year, he became Vice President of the UEFA, named by President Michel Platini. On 14 September 2016, Van Praag received 13 votes in the election of the vacant office of UEFA President, losing to Aleksander Čeferin who got 42 votes.

Family

[edit]

Michael van Praag comes from a prominent family in the Netherlands of entertainers and business people. Unlike his father, he is not officially Jewish since his mother was not. He has three sisters; Peggy, Pamela and TV Host and Actor Beryl van Praag [nl].[8] The famous singer Max van Praag [nl] is his uncle whose children, former newsreader Marga van Praag and her brother Chiel van Praag [nl] are his cousins.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Michael van Praag

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Michael van Praag (born 28 September 1947) is a Dutch football administrator and former who has occupied key leadership roles in European and Dutch football. He succeeded his father Jaap van Praag as chairman of , serving from 1989 to 2003, a period marked by the club's victory in the 1995 under coach and the 1992 Cup. During his tenure, Ajax also transitioned to the Arena (now ) in 1996, enhancing its infrastructure. From 2008 to 2019, van Praag presided over the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), guiding the Netherlands national team to the and implementing structural reforms amid domestic challenges. Van Praag joined the Executive Committee in 2009 and ascended to vice-presidency in 2015, contributing to governance discussions during a time of financial and ethical scrutiny in international football. He mounted candidacies for presidency in 2015, withdrawing to support Prince Ali bin al-Hussein against , and for presidency in 2016, where he was defeated by Aleksander Čeferin. These efforts underscored his advocacy for modernization and transparency in football's governing bodies. In 2021, honored him with honorary membership for his contributions.

Background

Early Life and Family Origins

Michael van Praag was born on 28 September 1947 in , . His father, Jacob "Jaap" van Praag (1910–1987), was a Dutch businessman who later became a key figure in football administration as chairman of from 1964 to 1978, a period during which the club achieved significant success including three consecutive European Champion Clubs' Cups. Jaap van Praag's leadership helped professionalize the club and expand its commercial operations. Van Praag grew up in , the city of his childhood, where he developed an early interest in football by attending matches weekly from the age of five. His family background included involvement in Dutch and sectors, reflecting a prominent lineage of entrepreneurs and public figures. Jaap van Praag was of Jewish descent, though Michael van Praag does not qualify as Jewish under due to his mother's non-Jewish background. This heritage connected the family to broader Dutch Jewish networks active in commerce before and after , amid the era's demographic shifts.

Initial Involvement in Football

Van Praag aspired to a professional football career from age eight, playing in Ajax's red-and-white kit during his youth, but acknowledged insufficient talent and ball control to advance to the club's first team. Lacking the requisite skills for competitive play, he transitioned to officiating as an amateur referee for the Royal Dutch Football Federation (KNVB), serving in that capacity for 16 years. Following his refereeing tenure, Van Praag joined the KNVB's refereeing committee, marking his entry into football governance and building on his practical experience in the sport. This administrative step preceded his higher-profile roles, reflecting a progression from on-field participation to organizational involvement influenced by his lifelong affinity for Ajax, the club chaired by his father Jaap van Praag from 1964 to 1978.

Domestic Football Administration

Chairmanship of AFC Ajax

Michael van Praag assumed the role of chairman of in 1989, succeeding his father Jaap van Praag, amid a period of internal disarray at the club. Lacking prior administrative experience, van Praag focused on stabilizing operations and leveraging the club's youth development system. His leadership extended until 2003, spanning 14 years during which Ajax transitioned toward greater financial professionalism, including regular sales of star players to balance revenues and investments. Under van Praag's oversight, Ajax secured major European honors, including the UEFA Cup in 1992 and the in 1995, the latter under coach . These triumphs highlighted the effectiveness of Ajax's philosophy and academy graduates like and the de Boer brothers. Domestically, the club maintained competitiveness in the , though van Praag acknowledged the necessity of annual player departures—typically one or two key talents—to sustain financial health, a strategy he described as bittersweet in 1997. Van Praag's tenure emphasized long-term sustainability over short-term dominance, integrating commercial growth with on-pitch success while navigating the club's structure established earlier. No significant controversies marred his initial chairmanship period, contrasting with later administrative challenges at Ajax and elsewhere. His departure in 2003 paved the way for subsequent leadership amid evolving Dutch football governance.

Presidency of the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB)

Michael van Praag was elected president of the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) on 27 August 2008, succeeding Mathieu Sprengers following the latter's resignation. His initial term focused on stabilizing the association's governance amid ongoing professionalization efforts in Dutch football administration. Van Praag, drawing from his prior experience as a and Ajax chairman, emphasized continuity in youth development and refereeing standards, areas where he had served on KNVB committees earlier in his career. He secured re-election unanimously in December 2013 for a further term, reflecting broad support within the KNVB assembly for his leadership. This period coincided with the Dutch national team's bronze medal at the under coach , though operational decisions such as coach appointments remained collaborative with the KNVB's professional board. In November 2016, Van Praag won a third three-year mandate, extending his tenure through 2019 and allowing him to pursue parallel roles in European football governance, including his election as vice-president in 2015. Throughout his presidency, Van Praag advocated for "building bridges" in football administration, particularly in integrating and sectors while addressing referee training and social initiatives like refugee integration programs, later honored with an award in his name. From his KNVB position, he launched a candidacy for presidency in January 2015, promising modernization and financial transparency, though he withdrew before the election to consolidate opposition against incumbent . His tenure oversaw the KNVB's response to national team transitions, including the post-2014 coaching change to and subsequent underperformance at and the group stage exit, amid broader debates on tactical and structural reforms. Van Praag resigned in December 2019 upon completing his maximum allowable terms, as stipulated by KNVB statutes limiting presidents to three consecutive mandates. Just Spee succeeded him on 17 December 2019, acknowledging the challenges in matching Van Praag's international profile and administrative stability. The transition marked the end of an era emphasizing experienced leadership over radical overhaul, with no major governance scandals attributed directly to his period in office.

International Football Governance

Roles in UEFA

Michael van Praag was elected to the Executive Committee on 30 November 2009, representing the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) as its president. In this role, he participated in key decision-making on European football governance, including format changes to the to ensure broader participation for top leagues. His tenure on the committee lasted until December 2019, coinciding with the end of his KNVB presidency. Van Praag advanced to vice-president in 2015, a position he held until the conclusion of his executive committee term in 2019. As vice-president, he contributed to 's strategic initiatives, drawing on his experience from Dutch and club football administration. This elevation reflected his growing influence within European football's hierarchy, though he later pursued the presidency unsuccessfully in 2016.

UEFA Presidential Candidacy

In the wake of Michel Platini's suspension amid a investigation, Michael van Praag declared his candidacy for president on an unspecified date prior to June 2016, notifying his colleagues on the Executive Committee of his intent to seek nomination. The vacancy arose after Platini's six-year ban by FIFA's in December 2015, prompting an extraordinary to elect a successor for the remainder of Platini's term, which extended until 2018. Van Praag positioned himself as an experienced administrator, drawing on his prior roles as Executive Committee member since and vice-chairman of the Finance Committee, emphasizing reforms to 's governance and competition structures. Van Praag's campaign garnered endorsements from select national associations, including the English Football Association, which publicly backed him on September 7, 2016, citing his long-standing commitment to English football interests and UEFA's development. He pledged to renegotiate the Champions League format to address concerns over revenue distribution and club influence, while vowing to prevent the emergence of a breakaway European Super League by reinforcing UEFA's authority over European competitions. His opponent, Slovenian Football Association president Aleksander Čeferin, campaigned on similar themes of reform and anti-corruption, but with a focus on decentralizing power from larger associations and prioritizing smaller nations' development. Although Angel María Villar of Spain initially entered the race, the contest effectively became a two-way duel between van Praag and Čeferin after procedural confirmations. The election occurred on September 14, 2016, at the Extraordinary in , where 55 member associations voted in a secret ballot. Van Praag secured 13 votes, while Čeferin received 42, marking a decisive defeat for the Dutch candidate. Post-election analyses attributed Čeferin's victory to broader support from Eastern and smaller European associations, contrasting with van Praag's perceived alignment with Western European interests. Van Praag accepted the result gracefully, congratulating Čeferin and pledging continued collaboration within structures.

FIFA Presidential Candidacy

Michael van Praag, then president of the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), announced his candidacy for the presidency on January 26, , just days before the deadline for submissions. His bid positioned him as one of several challengers to incumbent president , who had led since 1998 amid growing scrutiny over governance and corruption allegations within the organization. Van Praag emphasized the need for to prioritize transparency, ethical reforms, and broader representation, arguing that Blatter's prolonged tenure had contributed to systemic issues. During his campaign, Van Praag advocated specific policy changes, including expanding the to 40 teams to enhance global participation while ensuring host nations receive guaranteed spots. He positioned himself as a focused on uniting football's stakeholders, drawing on his experience in European football governance through roles. Despite entering the race late, Van Praag garnered endorsements primarily from European associations but struggled to build a broad coalition against Blatter, who retained strong support from African and Asian confederations. On May 21, 2015, eight days before the election scheduled for May 29 in , Van Praag withdrew his candidacy and endorsed Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of as the primary opponent to Blatter. This decision followed discussions among reform-minded candidates to consolidate opposition, mirroring a similar withdrawal by Figo on the same day. Blatter ultimately secured re-election with 133 votes to Prince Ali's 73 in the second round, though he resigned four days later amid escalating U.S. and Swiss investigations into corruption. Van Praag's short-lived bid highlighted fractures within 's electorate but did not alter the immediate outcome, underscoring the challenges of unseating entrenched leadership without widespread confederation backing.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Michael van Praag was born on September 28, 1947, to Jaap van Praag, a prominent Ajax chairman from 1965 to 1978 who survived in hiding after losing much of his family to , and an unnamed mother; his parents divorced amid a contentious separation that deeply affected him. He has a sister, Peggy, from his parents' marriage, as well as two half-sisters, Pamela and Beryl, born to his father's later union with Pia Verdegaal. His uncle was the singer Max van Praag, making journalists Marga van Praag and Chiel van Praag his first cousins. Van Praag's relationship with his father was marked by tension and lack of affirmation; Jaap rarely showed interest in Michael's achievements or , exacerbating Michael's insecurities stemming from the parental and his father's war trauma. This dynamic influenced his approach to relationships, leading to five marriages and four , with van Praag attributing the pattern partly to fears of abandonment rooted in his mother's departure. Since 2000, van Praag has been married to Mackaay, with whom he shares a , Nicoline van Praag, born that year. No children from his prior marriages are publicly documented. The family resides in Aerdenhout, , and van Praag has maintained contact with some ex-partners, reflecting his self-described optimism in personal connections.

Controversies and Criticisms

Disputes in Dutch Football

In 2011, Michael van Praag, then president of the KNVB and honorary president of Ajax, withdrew from efforts to mediate the escalating boardroom crisis at Ajax involving , who sought to install new members on the club's to implement his vision for youth development and coaching changes. The dispute led to legal battles, with Cruyff's faction prevailing in initial court rulings but ultimately losing on appeal, highlighting governance tensions at the club that Van Praag cited as too entrenched for neutral intervention. A more recent dispute arose in early April 2024, when Van Praag, as chair of Ajax's , suspended CEO Kroes shortly after his appointment, accusing him of based on Kroes's purchase of 17,500 Ajax shares days before the role was publicly announced. Van Praag described the actions as "highly detrimental to the club" and scheduled a shareholders' meeting for May 21, 2024, to formalize Kroes's dismissal, prompting Kroes to deny wrongdoing and garner support from Ajax's board of directors, which represented 73% of shareholders and considered challenging Van Praag's authority. The Kroes suspension intensified internal divisions, leading to the resignations of three members—Annette Mosman, Georgette Schlick, and Cees 'Kees' van Oevelen—over the weekend following the decision, as they opposed the handling of the matter. Ajax fans protested at a match against on April 14, 2024, displaying banners in support of Kroes and demanding Van Praag's resignation, amid broader club instability that risked a €9-11 million annual sponsorship deal with and jeopardized European qualification. Despite the pressure, Van Praag maintained his position initially, though by October 2024, governance frictions resurfaced over his successor as chair, resulting in a temporary extension of his tenure after failed agreements between the board and shareholders' council.

Positions on Global Football Governance

Michael van Praag has consistently advocated for greater transparency and integrity in global football governance, particularly criticizing FIFA's under for eroding the organization's credibility through associations with corruption, bribery, and nepotistic networks. In 2014, as president of the Royal Dutch Football Association, he publicly urged Blatter to consult to gauge public perception of FIFA's damaged reputation, emphasizing the need for change to restore trust. During the FIFA , van Praag positioned himself as a reformist , pledging to limit his tenure to one four-year term, disclose his own remuneration alongside all FIFA expenditures, and fully implement recommendations from independent ethics committees. He also called for the complete publication of the Michael Garcia report investigating corruption in bidding processes, arguing that partial disclosures perpetuated distrust. Van Praag's reform agenda extended to modernizing FIFA's structure, including reducing wasteful practices exemplified by Blatter's extravagant travel, and prioritizing ethical over entrenched power dynamics. He explicitly stated that Blatter should not seek re-election amid ongoing scandals, framing his candidacy as an opportunity to "clean up the mess" and separate football's heritage from accusations of malfeasance. Following the 2015 arrests and subsequent FIFA , van Praag expressed a more optimistic outlook; by March 2023, he asserted that within FIFA had become a thing of the past, reflecting confidence in the post-Blatter era's improvements under , though this view contrasts with lingering critiques from independent watchdogs on enforcement gaps. In broader terms, van Praag supported integrating and labor standards into FIFA's event bidding processes, distinguishing himself among 2015 candidates by engaging on these issues, and endorsed UEFA's 2017 reforms as a model for confederation-level applicable globally. His positions underscore a commitment to empirical , favoring verifiable transparency measures over symbolic gestures to address causal roots of failures in international football.

References

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