SPORTS> Feature and Column
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SPORTS> Feature and Column
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Will UEFA stay on the coach or take a sports car?
(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-01-26 08:49 Having played the game is no pre-requisite to knowing how to administer it -- but Platini has proved he can do both. The organisation of the World Cup nine years ago was hugely successful, and Platini has come up with some innovative ideas since he swapped his playing kit for a suit, including suggesting the back-pass rule that has helped speed up the game. Franz Beckenbauer, another of soccer's greats, has also made the transition from top player to administrator as adroitly as he once struck 60-metre passes for West Germany, and will be drafted into the FIFA executive committee on Friday. Now 61, Beckenbauer retains the aristocratic elegance he displayed on the pitch in the 60s and 70s and, figuratively speaking, would be more likely to join Platini in a fired-up two-seater hot-rod and race to the official dinner than sit at the back of the coach singing songs from his youth. Unfortunately for Platini, 'The Kaiser' said he would throw his weight behind Johansson as Friday's vote looms. YOUTHFUL FIGUREHEAD While UEFA has an opportunity to embrace a more youthful figurehead, it would be no surprise if it was not taken. After all, if the 52 presidents vote for a former player as their next head, what would stop their own constituencies voting them out of office in due course and replacing them with a former player to lead their own national associations? As that popular old Beatles song Yellow Submarine proclaimed many years ago, it was time for: "Full speed ahead, Mr Boatswain. Full speed ahead". It remains to be seen whether UEFA are ready to let go of the handrail, or whether they too are prepared to go full speed ahead for a bright new future.
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