![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/LennartJohansson2006_large.jpg\")
Former UEFA president Lennart Johansson has died at the age of 89.<\/p>\nFormer UEFA president Lennart Johansson has died at the age of 89.<\/p>\n
The Swedish Football Association said that Johansson died after a short illness.<\/p>\n
The Swede headed UEFA from 1990 to 2007, and he is most recognized for founding the Champions League in 1992 – a development from what was previously known as the European Cup.<\/p>\n
FIFA president Gianni Infantino led the tributes to Johansson.<\/p>\n
“I am heartbroken by the news of the passing away of Lennart Johansson,” Infantino said, in a statement on the FIFA website.<\/p>\n
“He was a friend and an invaluable source of wisdom and inspiration.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter posted a tribute to Johansson on Twitter, which read: “With Lennart Johansson we lose a real heavyweight in football.<\/p>\n
“We were allies, opponents – even rivals. But in all situations there has been respect and fair play. Thank you for your dedication to our game and to your family. R.I.P.”<\/p>\n
Swedish FA chairman Karl-Erik Nilsson said: “Lennart Johansson is our greatest international football leader of all time.<\/p>\n
“His actions as UEFA president and vice president of FIFA are deeply respected. His leadership is admired the world over.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“He was a devoted lover and servant of football, who put his passion at the heart of his life.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
UEFA announced a minute’s silence will be observed at the Nations League finals, European qualifiers and under-21 matches taking place this week.<\/p>\n