Olsson Confirms Uefa Departure

Lars-Christer Olsson has confirmed his resignation as chief executive of
UEFA with immediate effect following last week’s election which saw Michel
Platini installed as the governing body’s new president.

Olsson, a long-time ally of dethroned UEFA president Lennart
Johansson, initially denied that he was ready to resign his post but eventually
issued a statement confirming his departure from the organisation.

Gianni Infantino has been appointed as interim UEFA CEO following Olsson’s
announcement.

The 36-year old Italian national has been director of UEFA’s legal affairs
and club licensing division since January 2004 and has been working at UEFA
since August 2000 on a range of legal, commercial and professional football
matters.

The 57-year old Swede Olsson has been UEFA’s highest management official
since succeeding Gerhard Aigner in January 2004.

He has instigated a number of key changes to UEFA’s structural approach and
recently headed up the European Sports Review which aims to improve the
governance of sport.

Commenting on Olsson’s departure newly elected UEFA president, Michel
Platini, said: ‘Over the past three years he has worked hard to continue the
dialogue between UEFA and all of European football’s stakeholders and together
they have achieved a great deal in a very short period, most notably the
continued re-distribution of income from the European Football Championship and
the UEFA Champions League, closer links with all our member associations, and
the introduction of thousands of mini-pitches across Europe.

‘I am sure that these initiatives will serve as a solid base for further
development and will provide a lasting legacy for the European football family
as a whole.’