By Andrew Warshaw in Monaco
August 30 – UEFA boss Michel Platini wants to shorten the summer transfer window to try and end the instability and brinkmanship across Europe that is increasingly infuriating coaches who are unable to plan ahead.
Currently the window is open from July to September 2 and Platini admits that has to change in order to bring European leagues into line.
“I agree it’s too long,” Platini said in answer to a question from Insideworldfootball at his annual media briefing on the fringes of the draws for the Champions League and Europa League in Monaco.
“Clubs want transfers finished before the start of their competition. The coach wants to start with a given team instead of having half of it change. We will see whether we can all start at the same. The window is too long and we have to shorten it.”
On the wider issue of the escalating cost of individual transfers and the credibility of contracts, Platini decried the amounts currently being paid and said there needed to be a healthier approach, with too many hangers-on looking for a cheap buck.
“I think transfers are a robbery – when I was playing every time I had finished a contract I was free to go wherever I went. I think it’s an opportunity for a lot of people to make a lot of money,” he said.
“Today a player is more a product than a footballer with a whole pile of people trying to get commissions.
“I think we and FIFA should think about that and find something more healthy.”
Platini later backtracked on the use of the word robbery. “Maybe that’s too strong a word. It’s a very subjective discussion,” he said. “For the last 30 years since Maradona people have said this or that transfer is not good but that’s life.”
Platini warned that the prospective world record sale of Gareth Bale transfer from Tottenham to Real Madrid could turn into a waste of money if he failed to deliver.
“If Real Madrid want to pay this amount of money I think he could be good, otherwise it’s a disaster for Real Madrid if they pay this money. But what I saw sometimes he is a very good player.”
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