Platini yet to get apology from England's Richards
Source: Agencies |
March 24, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
Michel Platini has not yet received a promised apology from Premier League chairman Dave Richards, who described FIFA and UEFA last week as "gangs" who "stole football" from England.
"Maybe it got lost in the corridors of UEFA," Platini said, when asked about Richards' proposed apology following UEFA's Congress on Thursday.
Platini, who is UEFA president and a FIFA vice president, said Richards' remarks at a sports conference in Qatar were "slightly surprising."
The 68-year-old English official's criticism drew extra attention after he later fell into an ornamental pool at a post-conference function in Doha.
Richards did not attend UEFA's gathering in Istanbul, despite being expected to sign a working accord with Platini on behalf of the European leagues' umbrella group.
"What was important was to have the contract with the (leagues) signed," Platini said.
Platini, a former Juventus player, who proclaimed the unity of Europe's "football family" during the 53-nation congress, dismissed the comment about UEFA's intent toward England, which codified modern football in 1863.
"We are not a gang at UEFA and the English are so generous they have given football to the entire planet," the former France great said. "When they have given it, they no longer own it."
Platini acknowledged that the England vs France game at Euro 2012 is one of only "four to five" at the 31-match tournament in Poland and Ukraine which has not sold out.
"Maybe it got lost in the corridors of UEFA," Platini said, when asked about Richards' proposed apology following UEFA's Congress on Thursday.
Platini, who is UEFA president and a FIFA vice president, said Richards' remarks at a sports conference in Qatar were "slightly surprising."
The 68-year-old English official's criticism drew extra attention after he later fell into an ornamental pool at a post-conference function in Doha.
Richards did not attend UEFA's gathering in Istanbul, despite being expected to sign a working accord with Platini on behalf of the European leagues' umbrella group.
"What was important was to have the contract with the (leagues) signed," Platini said.
Platini, a former Juventus player, who proclaimed the unity of Europe's "football family" during the 53-nation congress, dismissed the comment about UEFA's intent toward England, which codified modern football in 1863.
"We are not a gang at UEFA and the English are so generous they have given football to the entire planet," the former France great said. "When they have given it, they no longer own it."
Platini acknowledged that the England vs France game at Euro 2012 is one of only "four to five" at the 31-match tournament in Poland and Ukraine which has not sold out.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
