UEFA chief Platini on corruption, women's football

A moderator listens to Michel Platini (centre) as Pierluigi Collina looks on during the opening session of the Dubai Sports Conference in Dubai on Sunday. Photo by Mukesh Kamal/ Khaleej Times

Dubai — UEFA president Michel Platini though he is positive about the future of football, is still of the opinion that they can do more in order to shape better prospects for the game.

“Nobody denies that commercial and regulatory issues are fundamental to the game’s future, but the real challenge remains in how to reconcile between our objectives to promote football while ensuring the deepest penetration within the international community and the need for money to fund the various activities and meet the financial commitments which are crucial for the development programmes,” the former France skipper told the opening session of the ongoing ninth edition of the Dubai Sports Conference on Saturday.

“We understand that many children from around the globe, for example, have great passions and talent for the game, and it’s our job and mission to reach them wherever they are and whenever they need our help,” he said.

Turning to the competitions, Platini noted that 24 teams would compete at UEFA Euro 2016, reforms to the UEFA Champions League access list meant more associations and champions represented in the group phase, and the UEFA Europa League had been born.

“Thanks to these reforms, the universality of the competitions had been preserved and even reinforced,” he said.

Speaking about the social role of football, Platini underlined the launching of the Respect campaign and the development of UEFA’s social responsibility portfolio. “We have taken reforms to fight racism in the stadiums and we have intensified our fight against doping. We decided to attack the complex problem of corruption linked to betting in football ... and adopted a zero tolerance policy towards players, referees and officials,” he clarified. Platini also highlighted the importance of promoting the training of young players and protecting teams’ identities and the women’s football as a priority.

The refreshing of the value of national team football, the definitive implementation of financial fair play measures, the fight against violence and betting fraud and the end of institutional discrimination also took centre stage in Platini’s address. The French football legend called on the football family to contribute to football’s well-being.

“Impossible is nothing. We must keep our passion to the game intact at all times. We have a notable duty to think of the next generation — the football that we want to leave to our children and grandchildren. Let us continue to have the courage to take the necessary decisions to protect football as we love it,” he concluded.

Turning to the most controversial issue of using recent technologies, the UEFA chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina insisted that he’s not supportive of technology.

Collina was reportedly identified as supporting the use of video officials, but he didn’t rule out the possibility of resorting to modern technology at some stage especially in the goal line.

The highly regarded best international referee believes that the use of additional assistant referees could be a good solution claiming that the experience of using them proved to be helpful.

The additional officials are the brainchild of Platini, who has been an opponent of technology believing that football is nice even with human errors.

Juventus chairman Andre Angelli addressed the club investment in football in the second session, Smart Investment. Kuwaiti businessman Fawaz Al Hasawi, owner and chairman of Nottingham Forest, blamed the outdated laws in his country that have aborted his early dreams to own a football club at his home country.

Suhail Al Arifi, CEO UAE Pro League, highlighted the experience of football professionalism in the UAE saying that it was successful and promised more glory in the near future. Finally, Boutors Boutros from the Emirates Airline outlined their future plan to be anywhere around the globe saying that they are as leaders in supporting the game among other airlines companies, they have plans to cover most of the football clubs in the world.

Fabio Capello, Russian national team coach, and Filippo Inzaghi from the AC Milan highlighted the AC Milan Formula in the third and last session of the opening day.

Day Two – 29 December 2014 First session:Smart Administration • 10:00 - 11:30 Gianni Infantino, General Secretary of UEFA UEFA Smart Plan & Rules Giovanni Malago, President Italian Olympic Committee Organisation of Major Events Tashima Kohzo, Vice President Japan FA International Smart Management Umberto Gandini, AC Milan Director Football Clubs’ Commercial Strategy Marco Bogarelli, Infront CEO Second session: Die Mannshaft • 12:00 - 13:00 Dr. Koch Rainer, German FA Vice President Die Mannshaft & the secret of success Dr. Karl Dittmar, Bayer Munich World Cup experience 2014 Mehdi Benatia, FC Bayern Munich The German League Third session: The Story of Success • 13:00 - 14:00 Miguel Angel Marin, President Atletico Madrid The path to championship Fernando Torres Players’ story Patrick Kluivert From player to coach