Father of the Champions League and former UEFA president Lennart Johansson dies aged 89
- Former UEFA president Lennart Johansson has passed away at the age of 89
- He headed UEFA from 1990 to 2007 and founded the Champions League in 1992
- The Swedish Football Association confirmed his death after a short illness
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino led the tributes, calling Johansson a ‘role model’
Former UEFA president Lennart Johansson has died at the age of 89.
The Swedish Football Association said that Johansson died after a short illness.
The Swede headed UEFA from 1990 to 2007, and he is most recognised for founding the Champions League in 1992 – a development from what was previously known as the European Cup.
Former UEFA president and the founder of the Champions League Lennart Johansson has died
FIFA president Gianni Infantino led tributes to the man who transformed the European Cup
FIFA president Gianni Infantino led the tributes to Johansson.
‘I am heartbroken by the news of the passing away of Lennart Johansson,’ Infantino 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.’
The Swedish Football Association confirmed the Johansson’s passing after a short illness