UEFA president Michel Platini has delivered a strong, unequivocal warning to players implicated in match-fixing, declaring that those found guilty should be banned for life.
If we allow video technology, where would we draw a line? Football must remain human
Emphasising UEFA’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal gambling and match-fixing, Platini said: “UEFA have a zero-tolerance position on match-fixing, especially as far as the players are concerned.
“Players (who are implicated in match-fixing) should not be allowed to play football anymore.
“This is killing the game and the players must shoulder the responsibility. In issues like racism, the focus is on the fans but in this case, it’s the players. This problem is touching the soul of the game.”
Platini made his statement as he fielded a question about UEFA’s disciplinary mechanisms now that “the ball is in their court” in so far as the Norway-Malta match-fixing case is concerned.
Three days before, at the same venue, Malta FA president Norman Darmanin Demajo announced that a rigorous probe into claims that some national team players had accepted bribes to throw their Euro 2008 qualifier against Norway, had yielded “overwhelming evidence”.
“A few days ago, the president of the MFA made a clear statement on this case,” Platini told reporters. “The ball is in UEFA’s court now. We are investigating and when this process has been completed, the case will go in front of our Control and Disciplinary Commission.
“We are working closely with the MFA.”
Platini, whose first appointment during his short sojourn in Malta was to inaugurate a new football complex in Fgura, dealt with a variety of issues, from UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Rules and video technology in football to the readiness of Poland and Ukraine to host the Euro 2012 finals.
On UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Rules, which oblige clubs not to spend more than their generated revenues, Platini stressed that these are intended to help the clubs.
“The financial fair play concept was not one of the first things I worked on after becoming UEFA president,” Platini said.
“Before, I had the chance to look at UEFA’s work from outside and I identified areas that needed attention, like the format of competitions etc. It took me only two months to implement those changes.
“When you’re inside UEFA, you identify other important things. I immediately realised that there was a problem with clubs’ spending. There is a danger that clubs will cease to exist if the current financial trends continue.
“Just like those who run countries, sometimes we have to take some unpopular decisions but these are ultimately intended to help the clubs.”
When it was suggested to Platini that the gulf between rich clubs like Real Madrid and the small ones will continue to grow, the UEFA chief responded. “It’s not too late to introduce these measures. Real Madrid were already one the biggest clubs in the fifties and the top clubs will never disappear.”
Unsurprisingly, Platini wouldn’t be drawn into comparing the leadership qualities of Darmanin Demajo and Joe Mifsud, his predecessor and former UEFA Executive Committee member.
“I can only say that Dr Mifsud was already MFA president when I became UEFA president whereas Norman was elected when I was already here (at UEFA),” Platini said.
“Dr Mifsud had been an important figure in international football for many years and I hope that Norman will be an important personality in the years to come.
“Dr Mifsud was also a member of the Executive Committee. Both work for the good of Maltese football.”
Platini, who enjoyed a distinguished career with Juventus and the French national team, steered clear of the debate on whether the current Barcelona team and their talisman Lionel Messi deserve to be regarded as the greatest club side and player of all time respectively.
“It’s difficult to make comparisons over a long period of time,” Platini said. “I grew up in the era of total football and the great Ajax team. Barcelona are a marvel. Their football is based on technique and speed. They have Lionel Messi but he is surrounded by other great players.
“Football is nice because you can win and lose. Barcelona were beaten by Inter in the Champions League a few years ago. All the teams can lose.
“That said, I’m sure that both Messi and Barcelona are already part of the history of football.”
Calls for the introduction of technological aid for football have increased in the last few years but Platini is adamant that the game should retain its human aspect.
“It’s a complex issue but very interesting,” Platini said.
“The referee is in great difficulty. Basketball has three referees controlling the game in a small court and we only have one.
“The referee can’t see everything, everyone knows that. Many years ago, there were not many television cameras and no-one used to complain back then.
“We are experimenting with five officials, maybe it’s not perfect but it’s a step forward.
“After that goal (Frank Lampard’s shot against Germany) was not given in the World Cup, the FIFA president (Sepp Blatter) called for the introduction of video technology.
“But, if we allow video technology, where would we draw a line? Football must remain human.
“Is it possible to have 35 cameras filming every match? It’s very expensive to do it.”
With the start of the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine only months away, Platini is convinced that the two countries will deliver a good tournament.
“With Euro 2012, it was a challenge for Poland, Ukraine and UEFA because we had to start from scratch,” Platini said.
“They had the will but to complicate matters, a period of crisis followed. The two countries had no experience of organising such events but they have been doing their best.
“Maybe, not everything will be 100 per cent but I’m sure that the atmosphere will be very nice because the people in the two countries are very active, they want to create a festive mood throughout the tournament.
“They (Poland and Ukraine) have done more than they could and they deserve credit for that. I’m sure things will go well during Euro 2012.”