Platini warns City

UEFA president remains opposed to goal-line technology

 

 

UEFA president Michel Platini has told clubs to be careful about what they spend under new rules and is concerned about what could happen to Manchester City if their owners leave the club.

Financial Fair Play rules are being introduced to make sure European football is played on a more level playing field and by 2013/14 clubs will be required to break even on their balance sheets.
For the first couple of years a €45m (£36m) deficit will be considered an 'acceptable deviation' but clubs will then start getting punished for spending more than they earn.
Manchester City have invested heavily in their squad since Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group took over and this season they became Premier League champions.
Platini insists that money does not guarantee success, however, and has fired a warning about the future.
"We have to protect the clubs, because until they pay Manchester City will be happy but if they (the owners) leave Manchester City what is going to happen with this club?" Platini said in an interview with Fox Soccer America and broadcast on Sky Sports News.

Rules on suspensions

Platini was speaking ahead of the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday between Bayern Munich and Chelsea at the Allianz Arena.
Seven players altogether are suspended for the European showpiece, with John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles missing for Chelsea and Bayern without Luiz Gustavo, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber.
While Terry was sent off in the second leg of the semi-final against Barcelona for kicking out at Alexis Sanchez, the other six are banned after receiving yellow cards.
A plea from the international players' union, FIFPro, for these players to be allowed to play was rejected by UEFA, but Platini is prepared to review the rules in another three years.
He said: "Why not? I am totally open to having the best team to play in the final of the Champions League.
"It could be a discussion and could be matter of thinking."

Damaging

Platini also reiterated his opposition to goal-line technology, even though it appears to be edging closer after FIFA ordered the final phase of testing to be carried out last month.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has said goal-line technology could start in English football halfway through next season, but Platini does not want it in the Champions League.
He says it would not be long before technology was used for other aspects of the game and that would prove damaging.
"The goal-line technology will be the beginning of the technology," he said.
"Why not goal-line technology, why not penalty area technology or corner line technology? Why not have technology on all the lines like in tennis?
"The red card of Terry was seen by the additional referee, not by the referee or by goal-line technology."



Source : SkySport.com