UEFA: Michael van Praag is the first declared candidate for the presidential elections in September

"UEFA at the moment needs a bridge-builder. I want to use my experience, network and knowledge to turn it into a cohesive unit again," said Michael van Praag, president of the Dutch Football Federation, who is a candidate to succeed Michel Platini, announced the KNVB on 18/05/2016.

The next president of UEFA will be elected at the 12^th extraordinary congress in Athens (GRE) on 14/09/2016, announced the UEFA Executive Committee, which met in Basel (SUI) on 18/05/2015. The deadline for applications to be submitted is 20/07/2016, eight weeks before the elective congress.

"Michael van Praag wants to complete the term of Platini and pave the way for a new president to be widely supported," declared the KNVB in a statement on 18/05/2016. The successor to Michel Platini will hold the office until the 2019 UEFA congress (which will be organised in the first quarter of that year).

"European football is at an impasse. I want to bring an end to this slump and open the way for a new, younger president," stated the Dutch leader, who is also a UEFA vice-president.