Lacking a royal patron, he created the position and the role of l'architecte du roi for himself, holding court, dispensing favors, creating reputations, masterminding moves in careers and construction, building prominently and expensively for wealthy and corporate clients -- and, above all, decreeing the next big thing.

WSJ: Philip Johnson: Short of Attention Span, Long on Aesthetics

"If I'd gone against the medical experts, people would have thought I was mad - or, worse in my position - trying to do the dirty on one of the clubs, " he told French newspaper L'Equipe.

BBC: Postponement angers French clubs