Former UEFA president and architect of modern Champions League Lennart Johansson dies, aged 89

Former UEFA president and architect of modern Champions League Lennart Johansson dies, aged 89
Swden’s Football Association has announced that Lennart Johansson, the former UEFA president has died at the age of 89.Johansson headed the governing body from 1990 to 2007 and is most recognised for making the Champions League what is today following its re-branding from the European Cup in 1992.Getty2

Former UEFA president Lennart Johansson has died, aged 89 after a short illness

FIFA president Gianni Infantino led the tributes to Johansson.“I am heartbroken by the news of the passing away of Lennart Johansson,” he said, in a statement on the FIFA website.“He was a friend and an invaluable source of wisdom and inspiration.“I will be forever grateful for having had him as the president of UEFA when I joined the organisation in 2000. Since then, Lennart has always been a role model of professionalism and, more importantly, of humanity.” Swedish FA chairman Karl-Erik Nilsson said: “Lennart Johansson is our greatest international football leader of all time.“His actions as UEFA president and vice president of FIFA are deeply respected. His leadership is admired the world over.“I remember Lennart Johansson as a committed and wise leader with an immeasurable integrity, I also remember him as a warm and humorous person with an infinite love of football.“I met him as recently as a week ago, in connection with the Europa League final in Baku. It was always a hearty meeting, filled with joy and rewarding football discussions.”Jim Proudfoot and Stuart Pearce preview the Nations League on the river in Douro Porto Getty Images - Getty2

Before England play the Netherlands in the Nations League, there will be a minute’s silence

Johansson was elected as UEFA’s fifth president, and he oversaw the organisation’s rise in prominence from being an administrative body to a modern sport organisation, based in Nyon, Switzerland.Johansson also served as FIFA vice-president, but he lost a presidency contest to Sepp Blatter in 1998. He was also president of the Swedish FA from 1984 to 1991, and he had close ties with the AIK Solna club.Darren Gough gives his Nations League preview ahead of the England v Netherlands match UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: “UEFA and European football are deeply saddened by the passing of Lennart Johansson, and I would like to express my sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as to the Swedish Football Association, on their loss.“He was a devoted lover and servant of football, who put his passion at the heart of his life.“He will always be remembered as a visionary leader, and as the architect of the UEFA Champions League, and world football will be always be grateful to him for all he has achieved for the beautiful game.”UEFA announced a minute’s silence will be observed at the Nations League finals, European qualifiers and under-21 matches taking place this week.

---

Man United ready to pay release clause to sign quality 19-year-old - report Man United are ready to pay the £105m release clause to sign Joao Felix from Benfica this summer, according to reports

---

Apr 24, 2019 · Manchester City once again moved a single, slender but hugely significant point ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League title race as they exposed the vast gulf between them and Manchester United.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Preview: Where to Watch

---

A Real Madrid line-up under manager Jose Mourinho, including

---

Pep Guardiola dismisses Jurgen Klopp's 'no weakness' claim

---

Aston Villa fan goes on national radio - and makes these claims that Mings is on par with Virgil Van Dijk, that Abraham would pick Villa over Chelsea next summer and that the claret and blues
Champions League: Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and Georginio

---

Manchester United news: Paul Pogba taking inspiration from Frank Lampard and is enjoying football under Solskjaer after Mourinho era. caretaker manager at Manchester United than Paul Pogba
Manchester United star Paul Pogba opens up on becoming a

---

Laurent Koscielny limped out of his Arsenal comeback on Tuesday night, potentially prolonging the achillies injury that forced him to miss the World Cup. The defender turned out for Arsenal U21s against Portsmouth in the Checkatrade Trophy, his second competitive appearance of the season following on from 45 minutes for the U23s against Derby
Concern for Arsenal as Laurent Koscielny limps off against

---

Arsenal boss Unai Emery refused to criticise Sokratis Papastathopoulos after his red card contributed to the Gunners' collapse in their 3-1 UEFA Europa League defeat to Rennes on Thursday.. The
Unai Emery Admits Arsenal Are Finding UEFA Europa League

---

Chelsea vs West Ham United Shot taken by Callum Hudson-Odoi against Aaron Cresswell. Eden Hazard scored a goal with a Left Foot shot assisted by Ruben Loftus-Cheek and celebrated by
Chelsea vs West Ham - Trending Hot India

---

Champions League glory for Tottenham could spark a trophy spree, according to former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho. Mourinho - a two-time winner in the competition - feels that success against Premier League rivals Liverpool in Madrid next weekend could be the catalyst for many trophies to follow in north London.
Vertonghen pays tribute to Pochettino amid ´craziest

---

Lionel Messi: Where Barcelona superstar's amazing free-kick against Liverpool ranks among his goals against Premier League teams Lionel Messi broke his scoring duck against Liverpool with a brace in Barcelona's Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday night. Barca won 3-0 with
Lionel Messi news: 'I love to play with the dwarf

---

Cruel fans mocked Kieran Trippier after his calamitous own goal against Chelsea. The Tottenham Hotspur defender was left with his head in his hands after what seemed like a routine back pass rolled harmlessly past Hugo Lloris. Kieran Trippier was inconsolable at the full-time whistle. Witth the Blues already 1-0 up after Pedro's second-half
Fans mock Trippier after defender's calamitous own goal at
sportstoft.com/soccer/fans-mock-trippier-after-defenders-calamitous-own-goal-at-chelsea/
'Love the way he just opens his body up, superb technique': Fans mock Kieran Trippier after Tottenham defender's calamitous own goal against Chelsea. Kieran Trippier scored a comical own goal as Spurs suffered defeat at Chelsea; There were no signs of danger when the Englishman retrieved the ball
Chelsea fans loved Maurizio Sarri's brutal response to a
hollywoodadviser.com/chelsea-fans-loved-maurizio-sarris-brutal-response-to-a-journalist-who-asked-him-about-his-future-after-tottenham-hotspur-win/
NOT LEAVING The Italian has come under intense scrutiny after a series of disappointing results in charge at Stamford Bridge Maurizio Sarri laughed off any speculation about his future after watching his side beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 on Wednesday.
~ Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona (1-4 on aggregate): Luis Suarez

---

Who Man Utd can face in Champions League quarter-final draw. Liverpool, Man City and Spurs can play each other The last encounter between Manchester United and Porto came during the 2008
Man Utd draw Barcelona as Spurs face Man City in Champions

---

Hartlepool appoint Richard Money as new manager to succeed Matthew Bates Hartlepool United appoint Craig Hignett as their new manager Football Hartlepool sack manager Ronnie Moore
Hartlepool United BIG fan survey results: YOUR verdict on

---