Michael van Praag

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 AFC Ajax from 1989 until 2003. Career Van Praag was born in Amsterdam. He was Chairman of AFC 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. 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 AFC Ajax was Ton Harmsen and he was succeeded by John Jaakke.