Niersbach wants new FIFA boss soon

Berlin - German football association (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach has called for a quick election to replace the outgoing Joseph Blatter as FIFA president and has backed Dutchman Michael van Praag for the role.

"His professional experience and his integrity" make Van Praag the ideal candidate, Niersbach said Wednesday in Berlin.

Van Praag, who withdrew his candidacy for president in the May 29 election to channel support behind challenger Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, is reportedly open to standing again.

And Niersbach said it was "desirable" that European associations in UEFA "stand united" behind one candidate.

In announcing his resignation, Blatter said his replacement would be elected at a special congress at the end of 2015 or in early 2016.

But Niersbach believes waiting until next year would be "extremely problematic. I would quite clearly call for the acceleration of this process."