Platini appeals to the PM to save football

[all_funkt_up]

....Michel Platini.

He has apparently written to EU heads of state, Gordon Brown included, to ask for their help in safeguarding the future of the beautiful game. According to the fat French loser,

"A serious threat hangs over the development of European football: the malign and ever-present influence of money,"

Now I'm not saying I disagree with him, I just think that UEFA has done more than any single body to commercialise football and make the aim the healthy balance sheet rather than the bulging tropy cabinet.

I continue with the words of Michelle: "Money has always been in sport and football has had a professional component for 150 years.

"But money has never been the ultimate objective of football: the main purpose has always been to win trophies."

Slightly hyopcritical, no immensely hypocritical given that UEFA reward failure (finishing 4th in the league) with a place in the Champions League.

I expect to see next year's CL as a place for winners and winners only.

Yeah right. Hollow words from a fat, froggy whinge-bag.

And as a side issue, why bother writing to Gordon Brown? He's a Jock. What the fuck do they know about fitba?

[andeeeee]

Originally Posted by all_funkt_up

And as a side issue, why bother writing to Gordon Brown? He's a Jock. What the fuck do they know about fitba?

c`mon AFU some of the greatest liverpool players have come from north of the border

[all_funkt_up]

Fair enough.

But we had to teach them how to play.

[andeeeee]

i`d be happy to see the champs league go back to the old format , a good old knockout for the champions only

[ONEDUNME]

Platini appeals to European political leaders to safeguard the future of football



BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Uefa chief appeals to PM for help

Uefa president Michel Platini has written to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to appeal for his help in safeguarding the future of football.

"A serious threat hangs over the development of European football: the malign and ever-present influence of money," wrote Platini in his letter.
"We may be entering an era in which financial profit alone will be the measure of sporting success."
The letter comes as foreign ownership in the Premier League is increasing.
Interview: UEFA spokesman William Gaillard

606: DEBATE Is Platini right?

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has recently increased his stake in Arsenal, while Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Manchester City and West Ham have all been taken over by foreign owners in recent years.
Plus, the Premier League is set for a windfall of £2.7bn from its new television deals over the next three seasons. Platini sent the letter to all European leaders - and is calling on governments to accept their role as "the last hope for a healthy and balanced future of European football".

[Quandram]

Prick

There might be some things that were better before the over comercialisation of football but it will never go back. It's a point so self-evident that i don't know why i bothered with these consonant and vowel thingies.

[christianu]

Originally Posted by andeeeee

i`d be happy to see the champs league go back to the old format , a good old knockout for the champions only

As if, it would be so much more boring, so many less exciting games, you'd have around 4 or 5 big teams and a load of shite teams.

Its so easy to make comments like that, but in reality you wouldnt want it to happen, not least because Liverpool would then never play in it.

The champions league as it is, is so exciting, i get annoyed at people saying "it should just be straight knockout champions etc.." because I dont reckon they really think about it.

[Kop66]

I dont think there's nothing wrong with the format either, just the name of it. It seems a bit pointless calling it the Champions League, i would like to see it go back to it being called the European Cup.

[andeeeee]

Originally Posted by christianu

As if, it would be so much more boring, so many less exciting games, you'd have around 4 or 5 big teams and a load of shite teams.

Its so easy to make comments like that, but in reality you wouldnt want it to happen, not least because Liverpool would then never play in it.

The champions league as it is, is so exciting, i get annoyed at people saying "it should just be straight knockout champions etc.." because I dont reckon they really think about it.

out of the games so far which have stood out , the league stage only gets going at the last 3 games, when teams are fighting for points. cant beat the old format. if liverpool aint good enough they aint good enough

[all_funkt_up]

I would question Platini's motives for doing this. He is trying to wrestle with the clubs and get more power at the door of UEFA.

He has taken over and realised that the clubs run the CL and mkae the big decisions. He has taken over at UEFA because he wants to be in charge and he wants the power that comes with being the head of European football.

The reality is that the clubs dictate policy. If Platini forces them into a corner, we could see a breakaway. G14 will not stand for this. If it places their clubs in financial peril or moves the balance of power, they will kick off.

Its the clubs that generate the money for UEFA and Platini would do well to remember that. He needs them more than they need him.

[andeeeee]

if the g14 want to break away let them do it , a european super league would collapse after a couple of season . it would go the same way rugby league is going

[all_funkt_up]

Dont agree Andee. G14 is being enlarged to G50. They will stay together and part of UEFA, as long as they get their way.

[andeeeee]

cant have the clubs dictating to uefa . next it will be games kicking off at stupid oclock so they can get more viewers paying in the far east for live football

[all_funkt_up]

Originally Posted by andeeeee

cant have the clubs dictating to uefa . next it will be games kicking off at stupid oclock so they can get more viewers paying in the far east for live football

Yeah, couldnt be doing with having daft kick offs at 12.30PM just for TV now. The day that happens is the day I stop watching footy.....

[Peter Orchard]

so they can get more viewers paying in the far east for live football

Your clubs have bought the token "chinkie" in order to do exactly what you fear: bring the game to the largest captive audience on the planet.

In time they´ll demand that Chelsea and Man U kick off at midight GMT - in Shanghai - then you´ll know you lost control of your national sport.

Frankly, I don´t care whether they kick off at midnight in Solihull. Or whether they chose to move the game to a rock solid pitch somewhere in Nigeria.
I just want to be entertained.
And that´s just not happening now.