Olsson urges Platini not to 'kill' his work

As Michel Platini's new broom swept through the corridors of UEFA on Thursday, former chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson pleaded with the newly-appointed president of European football's governing body: "Don't destroy something that is working very well."

"Yes, there is a consensus for change, but there is no need to kill all the good work that has been done," Olsson told Reuters.

Olsson, 57, was a close ally of compatriot Lennart Johansson, who was voted out of office after 17 years as UEFA president yesterday week, losing the election to Frenchman Platini at the UEFA Congress in Duesseldorf.

Platini made no secret of his intention to take a far greater role as executive president of the organisation, making Olsson's position untenable.

"We discussed the principles of where we see the game going and we differed in our views," Olsson said.

"I really don't know his full intentions, but I feel I have done a good job and so too have my staff."

A full UEFA staff meeting was due to take place yesterday.

"The tension is unbelievable. When they were both (Platini and Olsson) in the building it just got worse," a source close to the situation said.

"Everyone is so afraid. They think that some form of the French foreign legion are going to barge in and take over."

The difference of opinion between Platini and Olsson was highlighted by the news that the new president has cancelled a meeting of UEFA's club forum next week when over 100 clubs were expected to attend.

Club forum

Olsson saw the forum, which was set up to increase dialogue and decrease tensions between UEFA and its top clubs, as one of his parting gifts.

"If I had to choose my biggest achievement, it would be the forum," he said.

John Borg, Birkirkara's international secretary, is a member of the UEFA club forum.

Whether the cancellation of the meeting was politically motivated or due to Platini needing more time to settle in his new role remained unclear.

"My advice would be for him to take his time. So if he is taking his time, then that's good," one football association chief told Reuters on the basis of anonymity.

"He must also remember that the presidential vote was very close, so he must tread carefully."