TWO MINDS

Platini's plans have inevitably split delegates into those from the bigger countries who do not want to concede any of their Champions League slots and those from the smaller ones who might benefit.

However, smaller countries are caught in two minds.

Their champions might be involved, perhaps briefly, but their vital financial handouts from the competition which helps to boost the budgets of their FAs could diminish if fewer "glamour" teams from the bigger countries take part.

Both Johansson and Platini stress their commitment to grass roots soccer, fighting xenophobia and racism, keeping soccer out of the hands of criminals or money launderers, maintaining the spirit of sportsmanship on the field of play, keeping dialogue open with all of soccer's stakeholders.

Both stress the need for a better relationship with the European Union and the imperative that soccer matter are dealt with by soccer's governors and not the courts.

In a sense, neither man needs to worry too much on how UEFA itself is run. It is, generally speaking, a well-oiled modern management machine.

What is at stake is whether the innately conservative men who run the sport are willing to embrace a change and hand considerable power to a former player -- or close ranks and maintain the status quo.

Johansson represents a familiar, safe option while Platini a somewhat uncertain future.

By 1990, after the dark days of the 1970s and 1980s which culminated in the Heysel Stadium disaster, European soccer was ready for change -- and Johansson, with his former general secretary Gerhard Aigner and others, brought that change about.

Soccer always faces huge challenges and the delegates must decide next Friday who they think is best equipped to deal with them: the safe Swede or the flamboyant Frenchman.

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