Schmidt stresses need to build bridge after UEFA election

Since his inauguration as General Secretary in 1992, "I have taken part as a representative of our association". Routine is the key word. And while everybody else feels the excitement and suspense of the upcoming crucial vote between the incumbent Lennart Johansson and the challenger Michel Platini, which is due on Friday, Schmidt stays cool, calm and collected. Still, Düsseldorf is a special time for him as well, as Horst R. Schmidt reveals in this conversation with www.dfb.de.

Question: Mr. Schmidt, have you ever experienced such anticipation and nervousness before the election of the UEFA President?

Horst R. Schmidt: No, but back in 1998 in Paris, when Johansson and Sepp Blatter battled for the office of FIFA President, the atmosphere was very similar.

Question: In 1990, Lennart Johansson defeated the Suisse candidate Freddy Rumo in the race for UEFA President. Now, 17 years later, he once again faces a crucial vote.

Schmidt: But at that election, both candidates were newcomers. Now he is the incumbent.

Question: The DFB has left no doubt about who will receive the vote. Why such a clear statement for Johansson?

Schmidt: We are grateful for everything Lennart Johansson has done for the DFB. This has been a special friendship over decades now. So this was not a tough decision at all.

Question: Besides your gratefulness, did factual arguments speak for the Swede?

Schmidt: Certainly. Johansson has modernised UEFA, he has established stabile structures and well-known communication channels between the associations and UEFA. We have no qualms with Johansson’s work.

Question: If Michel Platini wins, what would that mean for the DFB?

Schmidt: Our relationship with him personally and also with the French association has always been healthy and solid. We were upfront from the start and informed him about our vote. I’m sure he was not happy to hear this, but he respected our decision. Obviously, we’ll be very cooperative if Platini should become the new president.

Question: DFB-President Dr. Theo Zwanziger and Franz Beckenbauer speak about the danger of a rift in the UEFA, following this crucial vote. Do you share their worries?

Schmidt: Well, you have a major decision and two camps. There’s always the danger, that following the vote, supporters of the losing candidate will withdraw and pout. It is vitally important to build a bridge so that both groups can come together again.

Question: The fact that Franz Beckenbauer is scheduled to join FIFA’s executive committee on Friday is almost forgotten, as the public eye focuses on the Johansson vs. Platini vote. Where do you see Beckenbauer’s future role in FIFA’s government?

Schmidt: There is no opposing candidate, so Franz really is in a very comfortable position. After his election, he has to define his role in the FIFA executive committee. Obviously, he has a tremendous knowledge about the game itself. He is a member of FIFA’s Football Committee. He should also be involved in the preparation for the next World Cup. And he should be present at the meetings of the UEFA executive committee.

Question: As the President of the Organising Committee, Beckenbauer had been a member of the DFB presidential board.

Schmidt: And he will remain a member of that board, also following our national assembly. So far, we have not finished discussion about the form of his membership there.

Question: Will it be as DFB Vice-President?

Schmidt: I cannot confirm that now. The presidential board will present a proper solution in due time.

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