Blatter row overshadows UEFA election race

DUESSELDORF, Jan 25 (Reuters) A row over the neutrality of FIFA president Sepp Blatter overshadowed the final hours of campaigning in the race for the UEFA presidency.

Blatter reiterated today his personal support for French challenger Michel Platini over the Swede Lennart Johansson, less than 24 hours before the vote was due to take place on the second and final day of the UEFA Congress.

Blatter's stance brought a sharp rebuke from Johansson, who has held the post since 1990 and hopes to be given another four-year term by winning a majority backing from UEFA's 52 voting national association presidents.

''I do not have a vote and I cannot be the referee either but I do have the right to state my view,'' Blatter told UEFA delegates at a packed congress hall.

''This is nothing negative, and it does not reduce the merits of Lennart Johansson, but I do have sympathy for the man who has been accompanying me since 1998, for Michel Platini.'' Blatter also offered praise to Johansson for his work as chairman of FIFA's World Cup organising committees since 1997 but the Swede was far from impressed.

''I think he was trying to please both parties, to back out of what he said,'' Johansson told reporters after the close of the first day.

''He asked me to stay on as UEFA president and then came out for the other party.

''I think he's wheeling and dealing, going right and then left, having one opinion on Monday and another on Tuesday.

''I don't follow his ways. I don't get it.'' PLATINI PRAISE Platini, however, was delighted with Blatter's remarks.

''I think it was an excellent intervention from Mr Blatter,'' Platini told reporters.

Blatter defended his speech afterwards, telling reporters: ''I had to say to the associations what I am thinking.

''They may criticise that but I said what I think.

''I had to say I have sympathy for the man who has been with me through the turmoils of the last eight years.

''Today Lennart is upset but if you are going to stand for election you have to be tough and listen to what people say.

When I stood for the FIFA presidency in 2002 certain people would rather I'd have been in jail than standing in the election.'' Johansson also said he thought that if Platini won the election, UEFA's Swedish chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson would leave his post after just three years in the job.

''If Platini wins I don't think he'll stay and UEFA will have big problems with the organisation,'' Johansson said. ''He's doing a tremendous job.'' Blatter in fact began his speech today by praising Johansson for helping make the 2006 World Cup in Germany such a success.

''I have to thank this man who in 2006 and during many World Cups was chairman of the organising committee, and that is Lennart Johansson,'' Blatter said to applause from the hall.

''We owe you gratitude, recognition and respect.'' The first day of the Congress was completed by opening speeches and the awards of UEFA orders of merit. They included posthumous awards to footballers Ferenc Puskas of Hungary and Giacinto Facchetti of Italy, who both died last year.

REUTERS SY MIR RAI2301