By Andrew Warshaw
April 16 – Lennart Johansson, the former UEFA chief humbled by Sepp Blatter for the Presidency of FIFA 13 years ago, has called for a fair fight when Blatter stands for a fourth term of office.
Johansson was convinced he had won enough votes when he took on Blatter in Paris in 1998 but was crushed in the first round of balloting amid allegations of dirty tricks and backroom dealings that swirled around the French capital.
The Swede has long believed that many FIFA member nations, not least those from Africa, reneged on a promise to vote for him.
He hopes it does not happen again when Blatter takes on Mohamed Bin Hammam, President of the Asian Football Confederation, in Zurich on June 1.
Johansson, who has been out of the limelight for several years suffering from ill-health but was a welcome guest at the recent UEFA Congress in Paris, was President of European football’s governing body before Michel Platini and, at 81, is one of the game’s most respected elder statesmen.
“I only know from experience what should not be done,” Johansson told insideworldfootball.
“You must check that those who say they support you really do.
“I was badly let down – all the way.
“I only hope this time it will be a clean process.”
Johannson admits losing to Blatter by 111 votes to 80 came as a shock but says the wounds were healed long ago.
“Maybe I was bitter in the beginning but I’ve forgotten it now,” he said.
Blatter ran unopposed four years ago and Johansson believes the 75-year-old Swiss’ longevity will make him favourite to beat Bin Hammam despite the recent World Cup corruption scandal over which two senior FIFA members were banned.
“Blatter has been there for 40 years and he was elected by 100 percent last time,” said Johansson.
“I cannot see what has happened lately would cause him to step down.”
He believes the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL confederations will be the two most fertile voting grounds and that Bin Hammam could win if he can sway either of them his way.
But in the end, says Johansson, Blatter will probably edge it.
“Mohamed Bin Hammam is a very good man but he is not well known all over the world and has not been that long with us,” said Johansson.
“It could be close but it takes time for delegates to get used to who they are voting for.”
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