PLATINI MOVING INTO POLL POSITION
Momentum is gathering behind Michel Platini as UEFA prepare for the
organisation's first presidential election for 17 years. The
51-year-old Frenchman is now the favourite to beat current
incumbent Lennart Johansson, the 77-year-old who has ruled European
football's governing body unchallenged since 1990.
Most of the 52 national associations who make up UEFA are keeping
their vote in Friday's election secret but some have gone public:
Denmark, Poland and Serbia in support of Platini, with Germany,
Ukraine and Spain backing Johansson.
The four home nations are among those keeping their vote private
rather than risk being seen to back the loser, but it is believed
Platini has the edge here as well.
The English FA are also thought to be leaning towards the Frenchman
despite his promise to limit the Champions League to three clubs
from any one country.
FA chairman Geoff Thompson is a friend of Platini's, and though he
may come under pressure from top-flight clubs to back Johansson he
could argue that he would be in a better position to influence the
Frenchman over the Champions League if he is seen as an ally.
Generally, Johansson has support among the bigger footballing
countries - but in this election San Marino's vote carries as much
weight as Italy's. Johansson's age continues to be a factor among
some associations - particularly as UEFA have a rule stating
committee members must now retire once they reach 70.
One national association president told PA Sport: "Denmark have
publicly declared for Platini because they are unhappy their
officials have had to retire from UEFA committees when they reach
70 yet a 77-year-old is standing for president, and other national
associations feel the same way."
However other senior football figures reckon the vote will be too
close to call. Another leading association member said: "I have one
person tell me Platini is in front and another that the tide is
turning back to Johansson."
FIFA president Sepp Blatter's barely-disguised hint that he is
backing Platini could yet decide some waverers. The head of another
association said: "One the momentum gets behind one candidate he
attracts support from all those associations who are keen to be
seen to back the winner, and the momentum is now behind Michel
Platini."
Platini is claiming to have won over almost the entire eastern
European bloc apart from Ukraine and the Frenchman may also have
benefited from a perception that Johansson is only standing to stop
him getting in rather than from a positive desire to remain as
president.
