Johansson has enough votes to win says team source

The team supporting Lennart Johansson's bid to be re-elected as UEFA president said yesterday he had secured enough votes to win tomorrow's ballot.

A UEFA vice-president, speaking on behalf of the 77-year-old Swede, told Reuters: "We now have enough confirmation from 36 associations backing Lennart in Friday's vote.

"The level of support reflects the leadership that he has brought and will continue to bring to UEFA."

A straight majority of the European governing body's 52 voting associations is required to secure victory.

The vote is a two-horse race between Johansson, UEFA president since 1990, and 51-year-old Michel Platini, who led France to victory in the 1984 European Championship.

Germany's powerful Football Association said last week they would back the Swede because of his experience. Johansson's support helped them win the right to stage the 2006 World Cup.

Germany's backing was expected as is the support for Johansson from most of the other major European federations.

Franz Beckenbauer, who captained and then coached West Germany to World Cup success in 1974 and 1990, has also thrown his weight behind Johansson in the presidential race.

However, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given his support to Platini, saying he has clear sympathy for the man who has accompanied him for 8-1/2 years on his business travels.

If Platini loses, then his immediate involvement with UEFA will end as he is not standing for re-election to the executive committee following the end of his four-year term of office.

The Frenchman will, however, remain a member of the FIFA executive committee for at least another two years and could therefore serve with Beckenbauer on that body.

Beckenbauer yesterday told L'Equipe that Platini should have waited longer before running for the UEFA presidency.

"At 51 years old (Platini) is often impatient. He should allow Lennart to stay in charge until the end of another mandate, and then he can succeed him," said Beckenbauer.

Beckenbauer had been a front-runner with Platini but ruled himself out when Johansson decided to stand.

He praised Platini as "a young challenger who was a great player".

But Beckenbauer also criticised the Frenchman's campaign, which has targeted 77-year-old Swede Johansson because of his age, saying it was "not very clever".

He reserved his highest praise for Johansson's attitude during the leadership campaign.

"I find him very elegant and smart, not rising to the attacks and provocations against him."

Beckenbauer also said he was not tempted to run for the position of UEFA president in the future.

"No, that's now in the past. I don't know what is going to happen in four or eight years time. I don't even know if I will still be alive."

The 61-year-old also said executive positions in UEFA and FIFA did not always have to be filled by ex-footballers.

"I do not think it is a necessity (but) if an ex-player has the abilities, then why not?"

Malta FA president Joe Mifsud is standing for re-election to the executive committee.