Platini slams Premier League

Uefa president unhappy at the direction football is taking

By Patrick Haond   Last updated: 6th June 2008

platini michel uefa president

Platini: Calling for change

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Michel Platini has questioned the motives behind the foreign investors infiltrating English football.

The Uefa president believes the Premier League, more than any other domestic division, has succumbed to the win-at-all-costs mentality.

The Frenchman feels that the money currently awash in the English top flight is detrimental to the national team, and gives certain clubs an unfair advantage over their rivals.

Following a season which saw the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool dominate the UEFA Champions League, England's absence from Euro 2008 would appear to be a direct result of foreign invasion, both on and off the field.

Platini is convinced that the growing trend of clubs buying success will continue to hold Fabio Capello's men back, and is something which Uefa must do their utmost to eradicate.

Concerned

"I can't say that we will miss the England team (at Euro 2008)," he told L'Equipe.

"That would mean that we believe Croatia are a poor team. It is their own problem that England cannot finish among the top two places in a group of six teams.

"Football at club level is completely different to the international game. Except for Italy and Germany, the winners or finalists at the last two World Cups have been countries that export their players.

"I am very concerned by the buying of clubs by foreign investors. I can't see why Americans want to invest in these clubs, except to make them into a money-making product.

Disaster

"It is a never-ending search for money, leading to the proposal of a 39th fixture abroad.

"The aim is not to win titles, but to pay back debts. Look at Chelsea and Manchester United's debt problems. Fifa and Uefa have to fight against that, because today the ones who cheat are going on to win.

"Is Champions League success based on who has the most money? I think so, and that bothers me.

"We have to find ways to help other clubs sort out their problems. Defeat must no longer mean financial disaster."