In a close fought election the 51 year old Frenchman won by a slender margin of just four votes. 52 nations participated in the election between Platini and Johansson.

Johansson leaves the post after a seventeen year reign losing the vote 23-27 which took place in Dusseldorf, however upon being elected Platini proposed that Johansson be made honorary president of UEFA in appreciation for his guidance during his reign.