Platini Wants English To Follow German Model

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Michel Platini (UEFA President)

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Outspoken UEFA president Michel Platini has claimed that if clubs in England are to remedy their mounting debt problems, then they should mimic the German model of financial balance.

The Frenchman, often portrayed unenthusiastically by British media for his perceived hostility to English football, counters that he wants to protect the clubs from falling into bankruptcy and administration.

Platini will, from Monday and with the aid of a committee, be pondering a new approach to debt management. He informed The Daily Telegraph: "We have three years to regulate the situation.

"The idea is not to kill the clubs but to help them have better balance. As [Manchester United's chief executive] David Gill says: 'the devil is in the details'.

"Gill is a very good guy and perhaps United will resolve the debts in the future.

"The philosophy to participate in our competitions is you must not spend more money than you receive," Platini clarified. "If United have €300 million and they spend €400m – no! If Liverpool pay €60m [interest] every year to the banks, it's a lot of money.

"Every owner has asked me for a better philosophy, for better transparency. In Germany, debts are not accepted. In England they are."

Platini added: "Some of the chief executives are not okay with the chance of new regulations [on debt] because they don't want to change their business. The owners are okay with it. [Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich hardly bought one player this year.

"By putting in new rules we will protect the business of Abramovich, Massimo Moratti [at Inter Milan] or Glazer. I am sure they want to sell but who will buy clubs with so many debts? Who would be that stupid?

"If you regulate the system, many people will be interested in buying. I am not a big economist but I am logical.''

Alan Dawson, Goal.com