By Andrew Warshaw
December 28 – UEFA President Michel Platini has made a veiled attack on his critics in a mixed New Year message to European football’s various stakeholders.
Writing on UEFA’s website, Platini said 2011 had taught him a great deal “where one feels the weight and magnitude of one’s responsibilities.”
Although he didn’tdid not spell it out, Platini appeared to be targeting European clubs when speaking about “protecting the game”.
“It has been a year in which certain of our national associations have had to take courageous decisions to preserve the justice and integrity of our sport,” he wrote.
“A year in which we have also had to remain solid and defend our values – sometimes alone –- to guarantee the respecting of the rules and the equity of the competitions, and to prevent football becoming a hostage of a few for their own profit and interests.”
Platini did not stop at the clubs, however.
In what was surely a grievance over the spate of corruption cases within FIFA, he wrote: “It has been a year in which, unfortunately and at the expense of certain agonies, football has emphasised its need for transparency and governance, aspects which are so important in relation to the respect which is so dear to me.”
On a more positive note, however, he welcomed the growing influence of financial fair play and singled out the Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United as the highlight of 2011.
“It was not only a legendary match – it also reminded us why we are all here, at the service of football and the players, without whom nothing would be possible, and who make the dream possible.”
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