Dusseldorf Is Where It's At, Well For Tomorrow At Least

As we gear up for one of the biggest decision-making days in Europe, I thought it would be helpful to take a look at what the two candidates for UEFA president would like to implement in the upcoming four years.

Both the incumbent, Lennart Johansson, and the challenger, Michel Platini, have very similar views when it comes to the issues facing the European game in the 21st century. They agree that UEFA should use it's power to develop and benefit all of the continent's FAs, with a keen eye on the countries that don't have as high a profile as England or Spain.

Again, the two candidates are in unison when it comes to soccer's place within the law. They both agree on having closer ties with the European Union and believe that the sport should govern itself. They are opposed to having national courts of law having any kind of say in disputes from the world of soccer.

Johansson and Platini are also in agreement when it comes to the problems that currently plague the game: racism, agents, match-fixing, doping, money-laundering, etc. No surprise there, they both pay lip service to wanting to clean up the game. Even a candidate for town dog-catcher says he's against crime.

Now let's start with what affects us, viewers and fans of the game. It's the structure and running of the Champions League where you find the real differences between Johansson and Platini. The Swede wants to leave the Champions League as it is. He feels that there isn't one good reason to change Europe's top club competition, since in his eyes, it is working extremely well at the moment. Let me add, he has a lot of company when it comes to this viewpoint. The tournament makes a lot of money for UEFA and the clubs who participate in it.

Platini would limit the available spots for the "big" leagues to three. As of right now, countries like Spain, England, and Italy have fours places available to them. Platini would like to see the tournament opened up a bit, balanced more towards the clubs who actually are the champions in their respective country.

Johansson is also in favor of salary caps, reduction of number of foreign players in a side to three, and increasing the number of participants in the European Championships. Platini would like to explore the idea of having four linesman per game and is against any kind of video assistance for referees.

This campaign has turned into quite an interesting contest. With Sepp Blater siding with Platini and Franz Beckenbauer coming out against the Frenchman's candidacy, this bit of political theater has become both fascinating and unpredictable. We'll know in what direction UEFA's headed in by tomorrow morning.

-ac