UEFA angered by Blatter reform plans

UEFA president Lennart Johansson has made another attack on FIFA president Sepp Blatter and his plans to reform the world governing body.

Blatter is looking at reforming the FIFA constitution if he wins Mat's presidential election to stay in office.

The main plank of Blatter's reforms could damage Europe's power base in the organisation and effectively promote reliable allies of the ailing president from Africa and Asia.

Johannson has feuded long and hard with Blatter since the Swiss former watch maker surprisingly defeated him in 1998's presidential vote. Last month that election win brought allegations of cash-for-votes to produce Blatter's victory.

Blatter is keen to reduce Europe's representation at the World Cup finals but Johansson has slammed the plan.

"Reducing European representation in the World Cup and undermining the role of the Confederations in electing the FIFA Executive Committee is a recipe for disaster," Johansson said in a press statement.

Blatter is aiming to make the FIFA Congress rule over the make-up of FIFA's Executive Committee which could reduce UEFA's share of power in favour of African and Asian delegates.

"It does not make sense to attack UEFA and the other Confederations in this manner. This is not the way to take FIFA forward and to re-establish stability in the organisation, particularly when the Confederations do so much in so many key areas of the game, ranging from referee development to stadia safety and security.

"We have in the past heard similarly unhelpful proposals, such as a World Cup every two years, which have had to be dropped. I believe it may be the same here.

"It is not becoming of a president to attempt to change the constitutional base of an organisation simply because he has been subject to questions and criticism. That is not the right approach," the Swede said.

"I hope in the end sense will prevail and I will certainly work hard with the European member associations and the other Confederations to make sure it does."

Johansson backs CAF president Issa Hayatou for the May 29th vote and is braced for reprisals from a vengeful Blatter if the incumbent wins the vote.

The collapse of FIFA's marketing wing ISL with massive debts last month and the allegations of corrupt votes have inspired Hayatou to stand against Blatter but the FIFA president has powerful allies.

A long term problem for Johansson's position and UEFA is the four votes given to the UK.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are effectively one political entity but retain four separate votes withing FIFA's executive.

Asian members have long looked at reducing this vote to one to boost their numbers.