Johansson And Blatter Clash Over Uefa Elections

UEFA president Lennart Johansson has expressed his dismay at the intervention of
his FIFA counterpart Sepp Blatter in today’s UEFA presidential elections.

Johansson, who is in a two-horse race for the UEFA presidency with executive
committee member Michel Platini, has described Blatter’s vocal endorsement of
Platini as nothing more than ‘wheeling and dealing’.

Platini, whose primary policy is to reduce the number of clubs the main
footballing countries of England, Spain and Italy have in the Champions League
from four to three, is seen as a major threat to the 77-year old Johansson’s
reign with the outcome of today’s ballot too close to call.

Blatter has often voiced his support for Platini in the elections but his
latest and perhaps most public intervention on the eve of the vote has provoked
a stern response from Johansson.

Blatter said: ‘As a FIFA president I have nothing to say about this election
but if you ask me about my personal feelings I don’t have to hide them. I have a
clear sympathy to a man who has accompanied me for eight-and-a-half years as
FIFA president in most of my business travel.

‘Since 1998 Platini has been my personal adviser and he is my friend. He has
my sympathy but it is not a direct intervention. They may criticise that but I
said what I think. I have to say to the associations what I am thinking.

‘I cannot be the referee, I cannot be the judge, but I have the right to say
I have sympathy for the man who has been with me through the turmoils of the
last eight years.’

The UEFA executive committee of 50 members will vote on the presidency issue
later today.