Former UEFA president, Lennart Johansson, has died at the age of 89 after a short illness. Johansson,who introduced the Champions League, was elected to lead UEFA from 1990 to 2007 when he was beaten in the presidential election by Michel Platini and also served as vice president of FIFA, but lost a divisive contest for the presidency to Sepp Blatter in 1998.
Johansson reshaped European football with a radical transformation of the European Cup into the Champions League in 1992 and the eventual expansion that saw non-domestic champions given entry.
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.”