By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
April 19 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has been accused by Lennart Johansson of tricking him into standing for re-election for President of UEFA only to then support his rival, Michel Platini.
The Swede, who was President of the European governing body from 1990 until he was defeated by Platini in 2007, made the accusations in an interview published in the Danish sports newspaper Tipsbladet and reported on the Play The Game website.
Johansson alleged that Blatter persuaded him to stand to stop Franz Beckenbauer putting himself forward but when the election came openly backed Platini, the former French captain.
Johansson told the newspaper: ”When I asked him why he first asked me to stay and then endorsed another candidate he simply answered, ‘That’s life’ and then laughed.
“Blatter does not know what Fair Play means.”
Johansson had stood against Blatter in 1998 to succeed Brazilian João Havelange as President of FIFA but was defeated.
Johansson said: ”When you have fought against these powers for many years you get tired.
“You feel that it is no use addressing the matters when it doesn’t make a difference anyway.
“But you must not give up.”
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