UEFA president Lennart Johansson has criticised his FIFA counterpart Sepp Blatter for favouring Michel Platini in the forthcoming UEFA presidential election.
Earlier this month, Blatter hinted that he would be supporting Platini in the election. “Let’s say I feel more of a footballer than a manager,” Blatter said.
In a statement released through the Swedish Football Federation, Johansson said: “I was a bit surprised by comments made by Mr Blatter. The FIFA president pushed me to go for another term in office and offered me his support at the time. I respect the FIFA president and I’m sure that his (earlier) words still hold.”
Johansson, 77, went on to criticise Platini’s “sniping” at him. “I was saddened by certain comments made by Mr Platini when questioned on the reasons behind my candidature, my physical condition for this post and the fact that I don’t live in Nyon (UEFA headquarters).
“I’m fit, in good health, I have a positive outlook and have been boosted by the support I’ve received”.
Johansson added: “I have not made personal attacks and recently I have had to bite my tongue when I read some of the things being said,”
The election will be decided by a vote of UEFA’s 52 member association at the organisation’s annual congress in Dusseldorf on January 26.
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