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Platini Elected UEFA President

Michel Platini?s soccer career has seen many successes. In the 1980?s, the French soccer star has won three straight European Footballer of the Year awards, the only player to have ever won the award in three consecutive years. In the latest development in his soccer career, Platini as elected UEFA President and will replace 77 year old Lennart Johansson of Sweden as Europe?s soccer strongman.

Platini, however, did not have to wait long to sense the opposition that he is surely to face in his term at UEFA. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already called Platini not to chage the format of the Champions League, which happens to be one of Platini?s main issues. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has also expressed his reservation of the newly elected person, specifically concerned abouthis plans for the Champions League. "It is the first time that a player is in charge," Wenger said.

Platini, 51, has won the election by winning over not the established powerhouses of European soccer, but rather the small European nations. He was publicly supported by FIFA president Sepp Blatter with whom he has worked on past international events. Of his victory, and coming challenges, Platini said: "It is a long time ago that I won all those games. Let us say that it is different."