Michel Platini is the new Uefa president following his election victory over Lennart Johansson in Germany today.

The 51-year-old Frenchman becomes the most powerful man in European football after he was elected at the Uefa Congress here in Dusseldorf by 27 votes to 23.

He will serve as Uefa president for the next four years and will also be a Fifa vice-president.  It follows a tense election campaign which became increasingly bitter in recent days.

In his final address to the 52 Uefa member associations, Johansson launched an angry attack at Fifa president Sepp Blatter who had publicly backed Platini yesterday.

Johansson said: "I appreciate the Fifa president's words about what we have achieved in the 17 years of my presidency but I cannot appreciate it when the Fifa president interferes in an election process here in Uefa.

"It's not the Fifa president, it is you the Congress taking the decision."

Johansson also drew attention to his track record during his 17 years in power, especially in establishing the Champions League.

He added: "I tried to tell you my philosophies through the years and I have allowed myself to refer to the track record of what we have established over these years. "Along with (former Uefa chief executive) Gerd Aigner I am called the father of the Champions League.

"But I have always protected the small and middle-sized countries in Europe. You should never change a winning team and I think I have been the coach of a winning team."

In his speech Platini tried to limit damage caused by Blatter's remarks.

Platini said: "You have the future of European future in your hands. I have been able to carry out the campaign I wanted and without attacking my opponent. I stand before you with respect, modesty and resolve."

Platini has tried to appeal to the smaller countries and wants to limit the number of clubs in the Champions League to a maximum of three from any one association.

He added: "We must always see to it that the strong help the weaker ones. Let's defend the national associations against the interests which are threatening them. It is a game before a product, a sport before a market, a show before a business."

Platini immediately invited Johansson to become an honorary president of Uefa.

The former France forward said: "This is just the beginning of an adventure. I'm happy today to be able to represent European football, I'm very moved and very happy. This is a great victory but I have huge admiration for Lennart and I would ask for Lennart Johansson to become an honorary president of Uefa."

Johansson was given a standing ovation by the delegates at the invitation of Platini.  PA