Chapter 226: A Chance

Lennart Johansson has been a bit annoyed lately. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info

For the 75-year-old Swede, the 14-year UEFA presidency is unlikely to be smooth sailing. For example, Havelange and Blatter have always regarded it as a thorn in the side of the two FIFA presidents, and they are eager to get rid of it as soon as possible.

If it was just covetousness and malice from Blatter's side, Johansson was not too worried. Because Blatter, like Havelange, is based in South America, it is difficult to reach into Europe, which is across the Atlantic Ocean and is also the stronghold of Johansson.

Now, as Johansson ages and dies less energetically, UEFA, once run by the Swedes, is starting to become less monolithic. In particular, Platini, who has a very close relationship with FIFA, stood on the opposite side of Johansson after being elected to the UEFA Executive Committee, and quickly gathered a force to support him, making Johansson's control over UEFA much worse than at his peak!

The recent Champions Cup draw is proof of this. If it weren't for Johansson's great control over UEFA, how could it be that four Premier League teams would collectively face strong opponents in the quarter-finals? You know, the British Isles have always been Johansson's staunchest supporters, and the Swedes, no matter how old and dizzy, would not be stupid enough to attack their own people.

Therefore, after learning the results of the Champions Cup draw, Johansson, who realized that something was wrong, immediately sent people to contact and appease the FA side and explain the situation to the other party, so as not to turn against Platini in anger.

Although the FA, like other members, only has one vote in the UEFA general election, due to the special situation of the United Kingdom (there are four FA in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and its strong influence in the European region, Johansson must win over the United Kingdom as an ally to ensure his voice in UEFA.

"What happened to Russ [i.e. Russ-Olsen, current UEFA secretary general, Johansson's most powerful aide and confidant in UEFA], what is the situation on the English side, what does Thompson [FA president] say?"

As soon as Olsen walked into the room, Johansson couldn't wait to ask one of his biggest concerns during this time - in the upcoming new round of UEFA presidential election, Johansson did not want to lose one of the most important supporters and votes for him!

Since Platini announced that he would run for UEFA president, the former football superstar has been actively campaigning in European countries, promoting his ruling ideology of "equal wealth and poverty, equal to the noble and low", promising that after he was elected, he would reduce the number of seats for the four major league teams and give up this part of the quota to those small football countries, the football associations of Eastern European countries eager to get more of the cake from the Champions Cup have turned to the camp of the French and become Platini's staunch supporters!

Regarding Platini's slogan, Johansson could only say that the French are really a cub and don't feel sorry -- why can the Champions Cup become the club competition with the highest attention in international football and the most valuable in the market? Not because of how many national clubs can participate, but because fans can see the best stars and the top clubs face to head on the pitch in the Champions Cup!

How many people would care about a matchup between teams from Poland and Cyprus? For the vast majority of fans, this kind of game is not even as attractive to them as a League Cup match between Villarreal and Newcastle! At least the latter has the stars they know and love, while the former? Who would be interested in this kind of game that is no different from a rookie pecking at each other?!

"Fortunately, although there was a lot of uproar in Britain over the draw, Thompson said he would do his best to get the media to turn the gun on Platini instead of pointing the finger at us. Olsen wiped the sweat from his forehead, adjusted his breath slightly, and told Johansson the latest news. Obviously, the two days of contacting the FA have kept the UEFA secretary general busy enough.

"If Thompson had said that, there would have been no problem. Johansson let out a long sigh of relief, and a large stone in his heart fell to the ground. For Thompson's ability, Johansson still has a lot of trust. Although the FA president is a little too conservative and rigid, Thompson's ability to handle this kind of thing is not a problem.

"That's right, Lennart [Johansson]. Thompson has also told me before that he wants us to take special care of Tottenham's emotions. Really, it's just a club, and it's not a top club like Manchester United, what's there to care about......" However, at this time, Olsen's slightly hesitant voice reached Johansson's ears. And the former's words also made the UEFA president, who was just a little relaxed, suddenly frown!

"Tottenham, you mean Tottenham?" Hearing Olsen's words, Johansson thought for a moment and remembered the information about Tottenham, "I think it's a very interesting team. The owner of the club is also the head coach of the team and also led the team to a runners-up finish in the Premier League last season. What's the point? What about them deserves so much attention from Thompson?"

"Well, I remember that Tottenham Hotspur's name was George Nelson, and he seemed to have the title of viscount, a hereditary nobleman on the British side, so it wasn't a big deal......"

"Poof-ahem...... Olsen's voice was heard from Johansson's side, "Russ, what are you talking about?, that George Nelson is the owner of Tottenham?!"

"That's right, what's the problem?" Seeing Johansson's reaction so violently, Olsen hurriedly stepped forward to help the old man smooth out, and asked puzzledly, "It's just a viscount from the British side." There are not a hundred or eighty people with similar titles in England, so you don't need to be so surprised, Lennart, right?"

"Quick!Russ!Get me in touch with George Nelson at once!" Ignoring Olsen's surprised expression, Johansson urged, "Help me ask if he's still in Switzerland, and if he's gone, book me a plane ticket to London, and I'll go to London and explain to him myself!"

If you can get in touch with George Nelson, a super-boss, and get his support, then Platini or something, there is no need to worry about it at all!

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