Michel Platini, the legend of French and world football, and the former coach of the national team of France, has been elected as the new UEFA President instead of Lennart Johannson who has occupied this position for 16 years.

Platini got ahead of the former holder of the post Lennart Johannson in a close vote, which took place in Düsseldorf, Germany.

In the end, Platini edged 16-year-incumbent Johannson by a 4-vote majority, securing 27 compared to Johanssen's 23.

The new UEFA President plans to make changes to the Champions League by reducing the number of teams qualifying from each country from 4 to 3.

“It is not a technical point. I am speaking about my philosophy, I try to convince my philosophy, which is about what football is and where we are going. I do not say – you need to do that because I am a politician. I am not a political guy, I am a sportsman, and I know where we need to go to develop football,” stressed Mr Platini.

The 2-time World Player of the Year is also expected to try and stop the rich clubs getting too rich. As for the former UEFA President, Johansson was immediately invited by Platini to become an honorary president of UEFA.

Earlier, Platini visited Moscow to gain support from Eastern European soccer chiefs in his bid to become the new UEFA president.