Karl-Erik Nilsson: "He was unique - had a twinkle in his eye"

This morning, Lars-Åke Lagrell, former chairman of the Swedish Football Association, fell asleep after a long illness.

Karl-Erik Nilsson, current chairman of SvFF, tells SVT Sport how he remembers Lagrell, who turned 80 years old.

  - The first time I met him, he was involved in Smålands Fotbollförbund and he had a very good feeling for creating engagement with young football leaders.

He is unique in that, says Nilsson and continues:

- There are many leaders today who are grateful to have met Lars-Åke and been infected by his fantastic commitment.

I remember when I refereed my last match.

He was there as a Uefa delegate and handed over presents.

There was a twinkle in his eye and a fantastic spear in him.

"Fantastic leadership deed"

In due course, the union, in consultation with Lagrell's family, will honor the former leader.

- It is too early to talk details, but it is quite obvious that we will in different ways pay attention to this and the fantastic leadership that he has done for a long series of years.

How has your relationship been in recent years.

- We have had a fantastic dialogue for a long time.

The last time I met him was last spring, when we had a fantastic dinner together and celebrated his 80th birthday with representatives from the federal board and his family.

If you could say hello to him - what would you have said?

- I had wanted to say a big and heartfelt thank you for everything he has done for our sport and for Swedish football, and I had given him a big and hearty hug as a thank you for that. A hug as a thank you for that.