German FA president backs Johansson in UEFA election

BERLIN, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Germany's powerful Football Association (DFB) will back the incumbent Lennart Johansson in next week's election for the UEFA presidency.

''We are absolutely convinced that because of his experience Johansson is the best man for the job, regardless of age,'' DFB president Theo Zwanziger said on the DFB's Web site (www.dfb.de) today.

The 77-year-old Swede is facing a challenge from the 51-year-old former French international Michel Platini, with the vote to come at the UEFA Congress in Duesseldorf next Friday.

Johansson has been president of UEFA since 1990 and Zwanziger said European football needed him to continue.

''His excellent contacts and diplomatic style make him indispensable in keeping UEFA in calm waters in these difficult times,'' the DFB chief said.

''A change at the top now would be a change at the wrong time and a controversial change could do UEFA damage, which no one needs.'' The support of Johansson helped Germany win the right to stage the World Cup in 2006 but Zwanziger rejected the idea that his support was simply a case of payback.

''That's just crazy,'' he said. ''We're not just backing him out of gratitude, although it is true that he gave us fantastic support in the World Cup bid.'' Germany's support for Johansson was expected as is the support for him from most of the other major European federations.

Earlier on Friday Johansson told reporters he was confident of winning the vote and had pledges from many FAs, but accepted that a secret ballot was always difficult to predict.

Reuters SAM VV1950