Everything about Platini the Clown thread

[keane7]

Manchester United and Liverpool have formally declared their opposition to UEFA president Michel Platini's plans for domestic cup winners to qualify for the Champions League.

The English clubs were the most outspoken opponents to the proposals among the 102 members of the European Club Forum who met in Nyon, Switzerland, on Tuesday.

There was a general acceptance of Platini's proposals to secure more places in the group stages of the competition for champions of the smaller leagues in Europe, but opinion was divided over his plan for cup winners.

UEFA communications director William Gaillard said: 'The most opposed to those proposals were Liverpool and Manchester United - they do not want to see a change to the format at all.

'Across the top seven countries however opinion was mixed. The Italians are strongly in favour because they want to revamp their cup competition, the Spanish and the French said it should be up to their FAs to decide, while the Germans were split among themselves.

'The clubs from the smaller countries were generally in agreement.'

The board of the forum will now decide whether to suggest counter-proposals to UEFA, who will decide on any changes at an executive committee meeting in November.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is a member of the forum's board but he would not take such a strong position as the other two English clubs.



Its crazy to have the cup winners to play in the champs league. Cups are played over less than 10 games, but leagues are over 38 games. If this crazy plans goes thru, better change the name of champs league.. damm.. Kenyon is ass kisser!!! :mad:

[andycole9]

i agree with you keane, just look at a few years ago millwall played us in the fa cup final, so say that happens again and we finish top of league, so gain a place to the champs league anyway. does this mean millwall are in the champs league? its total bull ****

[keane7]

i think this platini guy sticks his head into the local league affair bit too much.. preffer the previous uefa boss.. Remember it was his election promise that he'll help the smaller country leagues.. thats how he won..

[chiboygeorge]

Platini should not change it .. Everyone is used to the current one.

[reddwarf]

So do I. Platini is a bloody numpty! :mad:

His idea to allow cup winners into the Champions League is ludicrous.

The FA Cup Final in 2004 is the perfect example of why it is a stupid idea. Millwall had not played any Premiership opposition until the final and, because United had qualified for the Champions League, Millwall got into Europe!

Besides, what's the point? No team outside the big 4 has won the FA Cup since 1995 (Everton) so it probably won't make any difference!!!

[ARBUCKS]

How can a team quailty for the C.L for winning their domestic cup. Look at last season were Chelsea played league one and Championship teams to the 1/4finals, Playing the likes of Blackpool and Forest etc....It is worthly of C.L football.

[ARBUCKS]

Europe's most powerful clubs - the G14 - will not back Uefa president Michel Platini's plan to give domestic cup winners a Champions League place.
"We're opposed to giving cup winners a place in the Champions League," said G14's general manager Thomas Kurth.

"We're very concerned about the quality of the competition and the damage this could cause," added Kurth.

Under the proposals, which could begin in 2009, the Premier League's top three and the FA Cup winners would qualify.

Platini's proposals would give 16 cup winners a separate qualifying route into the Champions League and an allocation of four automatic places in the lucrative group stages.

The proposed shake-up was discussed by UEFA's Professional Football Strategy Council last month but after some opposition from the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), Platini deferred the final vote by UEFA's executive by one month.

The EPFL, which represents leagues such as the English Premier League, Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A, was given until the end of October to come up with alternative proposals.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has described Platini's plan as a "perfectly reasonable suggestion".

[Justice]

Hate that French ****.

[Wazza1989]

very good.....it's a stupid think....with all due respect to the smaller clubs....this is aa stupid ideea....look for exemple seeing a 3rd league team...winning the FA Cup and going into the Champions League...the dummest ideea ever

[Anderson's God]

Platini the French Baguette!

[andycole9]

So do I. Platini is a bloody numpty! :mad:

His idea to allow cup winners into the Champions League is ludicrous.

The FA Cup Final in 2004 is the perfect example of why it is a stupid idea. Millwall had not played any Premiership opposition until the final and, because United had qualified for the Champions League, Millwall got into Europe!

Besides, what's the point? No team outside the big 4 has won the FA Cup since 1995 (Everton) so it probably won't make any difference!!!
im sure thats what i said :p

[Keano4taoiseach]

Platini abandons cup winners plan

Platini wants to make big changes
Domestic cup winners will not get to play in the Champions League after a proposal from Uefa chief Michel Platini was rejected, BBC Sport understands.
But the team finishing third in the Premier League will now go straight into the group stages and the fourth team will face two qualifying rounds.

There will also be more places for champions of lower ranked nations if the proposals are ratified next month.

And this will mean a place in the group stage for Scotland's champions in 2009.

But with fewer spots available for qualifiers the team finishing fourth in the Premier League will now face a tougher qualification process.

MIHIR BOSE BLOG
Instead of cutting the power of the bigger leagues like the Premier League Platini has ended up making them stronger


Platini's most controversial proposal was for domestic cup winners to play off for the places that currently go to the teams finishing fourth in the top European leagues, but this idea has been dropped.

Platini had outlined his plans to Uefa's European Professional Football Strategy Council, a 16-member group comprising of officials from Europe's leagues, associations and clubs in Nyon, Switzerland.


The new changes will be ratified at Uefa's executive committee meeting in Lucerne on 1 December.

WHO SITS ON THE EUROPEAN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL STRATEGY COUNCIL?
Four Uefa vice-presidents (including FA Chairman Geoff Thompson)
Four league representatives (Including Premier League chairman David Richards)
Four club representatives (including Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon)
Four Fifpro representatives (Fifpro is the world football players' union)

BBC sports editor Mihir Bose said: "Platini wanted the new club champions to come in from the less privileged parts of Europe.

"He has got that part of the plan through - six new clubs will come in.

"But the other part of the proposal, which involved the cup winners, has been completely abandoned."

The meeting's other significant outcome was the automatic qualification of the team finishing third in the top leagues, including the Premier League.

"The Premier League has won a thumping victory over Platini," added Bose.

The plan had been opposed by the G14, the body which represents 18 of Europe's leading clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal, who said any change would devalue the reputation of the Champions League.

606: DEBATE
Your thoughts on Platini's proposals

Their view was backed by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

"You have to be careful not to change the Champions League too much by bringing in even more weaker teams because you could find yourself with games with no meaning," he said.

"That would be very dangerous for the quality of the competition."

[reddwarf]

There's a surprise :rolleyes:

This was always going to be a non-starter for 2 reasons - the same clubs that compete for the league usually compete for the cup and there's a chance of a fluke cup run meaning a crap team get into the Champions League.

What is interesting is that the 3rd placed team in the Prem will now get automatic qualification into the Champions League .

[carlyluvsunited]

This man just likes to make change for the sake of it !!

Why add cup winners ffs.......

Already the Champs League has enough rubbish teams in it !!

We don't need more !!

[andycole9]

This man just likes to make change for the sake of it !!

Why add cup winners ffs.......

Already the Champs League has enough rubbish teams in it !!

We don't need more !!
yea like slavia prague, steua bucharest, besiktas just to name a few

the lesser teams are finding it easier to qualify these days as the talent is not spread out any more all the top players are in england, germany, spain, italy avoid one of them clubs in qualifying and your laughing

[SALFORD RED]

How is the Champions league even a league at all ?
It's a knock out competition on the later stages.
How is it a League of Champions when 2nd, 3rd or 4th placed teams or runners up in the FA Cup are champions of............NOTHING.
The Champions League should consist of

Winners of the Premiership ( or equivalent in whatever country )
Winners of the FA Cup ( or equivalent in whatever country, or 2nd placed team if no equivalent ).
If the same team wins both league and FA Cup, then 2nd placed team in the league entered.

Then it should be a LEAGUE, home and away match against all teams.
Top of the league at the end......Champions league winners.

.

[RichardsReds]

How is the Champions league even a league at all ?
It's a knock out competition on the later stages.
How is it a League of Champions when 2nd, 3rd or 4th placed teams or runners up in the FA Cup are champions of............NOTHING.
The Champions League should consist of

Winners of the Premiership ( or equivalent in whatever country )
Winners of the FA Cup ( or equivalent in whatever country, or 2nd placed team if no equivalent ).
If the same team wins both league and FA Cup, then 2nd placed team in the league entered.

Then it should be a LEAGUE, home and away match against all teams.
Top of the league at the end......Champions league winners.

.

Interesting points and i agree with everything except it should be a league.

I love the knockout nature of the cup.

I think the format is currently perfect. The best team at the end of the day still wins no matter what. Whoever they face they'll have had to play damn hard oppositions due to the nature. I don't think league makes it any better really.

[SALFORD RED]

Interesting points and i agree with everything except it should be a league.

I love the knockout nature of the cup.

I think the format is currently perfect. The best team at the end of the day still wins no matter what. Whoever they face they'll have had to play damn hard oppositions due to the nature. I don't think league makes it any better really.

Yep, on reflection i've got to agree, i love the knockout stages. ( some great memories kicking in ).
I think i was tring to justify it being called The Champions League Cup.
Revert back to it being called the European Champions Cup. ( get rid of the word LEAGUE as its NOT a League ).

.

[carlyluvsunited]

yea like slavia prague, steua bucharest, besiktas just to name a few

the lesser teams are finding it easier to qualify these days as the talent is not spread out any more all the top players are in england, germany, spain, italy avoid one of them clubs in qualifying and your laughingOoooooohhh you nasty man :(

Don't forget Steaua Bucuresti are only 1 win behind United in this competition !!

But you're right :( I know Steaua wont win along with many others - and yes maybe they don't belong.........

And you're right about the top players being in English League.....this is why England wont win anything - only 12 English players played in the first 3 rounds of this years competition - out of 4 English Teams !!! Most of them from United.....

Compared with 53 Brazilians (no teams represented), 16 Romanians (1 team represented), and 13 Scottish (2 teams represented).....

How is the Champions league even a league at all ?
It's a knock out competition on the later stages.
How is it a League of Champions when 2nd, 3rd or 4th placed teams or runners up in the FA Cup are champions of............NOTHING.
The Champions League should consist of

Winners of the Premiership ( or equivalent in whatever country )
Winners of the FA Cup ( or equivalent in whatever country, or 2nd placed team if no equivalent ).
If the same team wins both league and FA Cup, then 2nd placed team in the league entered.

Then it should be a LEAGUE, home and away match against all teams.
Top of the league at the end......Champions league winners.

.Nice......

But why FA Cup Winners etc etc ?

They are not champions of their countries - should be league winners and thats it !

Then all the Champions compete in the CHAMPIONS League - exactly what it says on the tin :p

[SALFORD RED]

Ooooooohhh you nasty man :(

Don't forget Steaua Bucuresti are only 1 win behind United in this competition !!

But you're right :( I know Steaua wont win along with many others - and yes maybe they don't belong.........

And you're right about the top players being in English League.....this is why England wont win anything - only 12 English players played in the first 3 rounds of this years competition - out of 4 English Teams !!! Most of them from United.....

Compared with 53 Brazilians (no teams represented), 16 Romanians (1 team represented), and 13 Scottish (2 teams represented).....

Nice......

But why FA Cup Winners etc etc ?

They are not champions of their countries - should be league winners and thats it !

Then all the Champions compete in the CHAMPIONS League - exactly what it says on the tin :p

First of all don't try to change what AC9 said....

He said "all the top players are in england, germany, spain, italy" , never mentioned English players.

Why FA Cup winners?

Because they are the Champions in the FA Cup.
They have Championed over ever every other team .
ie:- ALL other teams have been knocked out. Cue the word FA Cup Champions
Or are you saying that everytime United ( or any other team ) have won the FA Cup they were NOT champions ?
If you are then you are trying to rewrite the whole history of the FA Cup, look anywhere you will see " FA Cup Champions * enter team *, runners up * enter team*.
.

[carlyluvsunited]

First of all don't try to change what AC9 said....

He said "all the top players are in england, germany, spain, italy" , never mentioned English players.

Why FA Cup winners?

Because they are the Champions in the FA Cup.
They have Championed over ever every other team .
ie:- ALL other teams have been knocked out. Cue the word FA Cup Champions
Or are you saying that everytime United ( or any other team ) have won the FA Cup they were NOT champions ?
If you are then you are trying to rewrite the whole history of the FA Cup, look anywhere you will see " FA Cup Champions * enter team *, runners up * enter team*.
.
FA Cup Winners I see - never Champions

I also said......

"I agree with you about the top players being in England !!"

I then went on to add......

This is why England struggle......

What did I change ?

[SALFORD RED]

FA Cup Winners I see - never Champions

I also said......

"I agree with you about the top players being in England !!"

I then went on to add......

This is why England struggle......

What did I change ?

You changed Players in England to........this is why England wont win anything - only 12 English players played in the first 3 rounds of this years competition - out of 4 English Teams !!!

And you have never heard United fans singing " we are the champions " and hundreds of other songs containing the word Champions after winning the FA Cup ?
Never heard " FA Cup champions of England " on hundreds of news programmes on tv ? Read in the newspapers " United FA CupChampions of England" "?

Want me to send you hundreds of official photos with the words " FA CUP CHAMPIONS "on them ?

.

[Ajant]

More scots hahah!

[carlyluvsunited]

all the top players are in England


And you're right about the top players being in English League..…
See....

.........I Google FA Cup Winners..

I got these....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FA_Cup#Winners_from_outside_the_top_flight

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FA_Cup#Past_Winners_of_the_FA_Cup

http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/clubfootball/a/facupwinners_2.htm

http://wikilookup.info/info/guide/f/fa/fa_cup.html#Past%20Winners%20of%20the%20FA%20Cup

http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/History/Postings/2003/11/FACupStatistics.htm



I Google FA Cup Champions .....

I get no result !!!

[SALFORD RED]

Glad i quoted you in all my posts...let others decide.
You changed Players in England to........this is why England wont win anything - only 12 English players

And glad you are now telling thousands of Reds ( no millions ) that we were never champions in the FA Cup.
Try going to a game now and then, try going to the FA Cup final and hearing the words " CHAMPIONS" ringing out from thousands of voices in the ground and millions around the world.
Dont you just love know it all JCLs.

NFT . ( look that up as well ).

[carlyluvsunited]

Platini Attacks Premier League's US Owners

American owners of football clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool have
no interest in the game and only want to make money, the president of Uefa has
said.

Michel Platini, the French head of European football's governing body, claims that
the US tycoons will even try to change the rules to bring in more cash by halting
matches for advertisement breaks.

Platini, who has held his position since January, has accused businessmen George
Gillett and Tom Hicks, who own Liverpool, and Manchester United's Malcolm
Glazer of trying to "control football" despite knowing nothing about the sport.

In an interview on last night's Newsnight, he said: "Why don't they invest in
football in America? You don't think they came here for the football. They don't
know what football is.

"The popularity of football is now so high that investors are coming over and they
consider football to be a product. They just want to make money."

Platini, a former captain of France, also warned that matches could soon be
halted at regular intervals to allow for adverts in the same way that American
football matches in the NFL are paused every 15 minutes.

He said: "Perhaps there will soon be advertising during the game so they can
make even more money. I would like to hope that this will not be the case and
that I will be proved wrong.

"I hope that Mr Glazer and the president of Liverpool will shortly philosophise and
I will have to apologise to them. But at the moment I am not clear that this is the
case."

He also criticised the growing numbers of foreign players, managers and coaches
in the game.

He added: "The coaches aren't English, the players aren't English, I don't know
why this is the case."

Thaksin Shinawatra has expressed his determination to make Manchester City
the biggest football club in the world.

The former prime minister of Thailand, who is now Manchester City chairman, has
already overseen a dramatic upturn in the club's fortunes since his arrival in July.

But his ambitions are not confined to the pitch, with Thaksin revealing the club's
new Chinese-language website was just the first step in the club's ambitious
plans to be the biggest commercial brand in football.

The 58-year-old was keen to stress that Asia was the continent he would target
first in his quest to make City the biggest club on the planet.

He told the club's official website, "My goals for the football team
are ambitious - to secure Manchester City a position as one of the world's
biggest football brands." www.telegraph.co.uk

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[Anderson's God]

The UEFA president Michel Platini is going the right way about becoming English football public enemy n.o 1 as he continues take swipes and digs at "big gun" clubs such as Manchester United.

Earlier having a go at Manchester United American owners, Glazer. Platini has accused the Glazers and other owners of trying to "control football" despite knowing nothing about the sport.

"Why don't they invest in football in America? You don't think they came here for the football. They don't know what football is.

"The popularity of football is now so high that investors are coming over and they consider football to be a product. They just want to make money."

Platini, a former captain of France, also warned that matches could soon be halted at regular intervals to allow for adverts in the same way that American football matches in the NFL are paused every 15 minutes.

He said: "Perhaps there will soon be advertising during the game so they can make even more money. I would like to hope that this will not be the case and that I will be proved wrong.

UEFA president Michel Platini has also attacked the international youth policy of Arsenal and Manchester United.

Platini cited Arsenal and Manchester United for their youth team policies that do not prohibit poaching the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique and Giuseppe Rossi from their hometown clubs before they sign professional terms.

The Frenchman said: "I am totally against this philosophy and I am a firm believer that we need to take care of the identity of the club.

"This is why for Manchester United there are no English players and I'm totally not in favour of that.

"Don't get me wrong I like Ferguson and Arsene Wenger is a great friend of mine, but I don't like the system that scours other countries for the best young talent to bring back to their team."

[reddwarf]

There already is advertising during the game - almost all grounds have advertising boards around the pitch.

In American Football games the match has always been split into quarters - not for adverts but because a match can last over 3 hours so players need more breaks. During American football matches, adverts are shown every few minutes because there are stoppages throughout the game. It's the same with boxing - adverts in between each round.

In football, the only time I can foresee adverts being shown is during injury breaks.



"This is why for Manchester United there are no English players and I'm totally not in favour of that.


Er no, Platini - that's Arsenal. :confused: We have plenty of English players and the likes of Eagles and Simpson have started to emerge from the youth team.

People might start listening to Platini if he had a clue what he was talking about :rolleyes:

[Keano's fan]

"This is why for Manchester United there are no English players and I'm totally not in favour of that."

-Ben Foster
-Tom Heaton
-Gary Neville
-Danny Simpson
-Phil Bardsley
-Wes Brown
-Rio Ferdinand
-Adam Eckersley
-Chris Eagles
-Owen Hargreaves
-Paul Scholes
-Michael Carrick
-Ritchie Jones
-Sean Evans
-Wayne Rooney
-Frazier Campbell

[mulletsneverdie]

bell end, the english game is too good and the continentals cant seem too deal with it or accept it.

last seasons uefa cup semifinal between seville and tottenham in spain, tottenham played seville off the park, robinson gave away a penalty apparently when infact he got the whole ball clean, have always thought spurs were robbed in that game. Got the feeling the uefa committee hated seeing english clubs dominating european football, hence the early whistle in the champ league final too, liverpool were robbed of 30seconds when they were piling on the pressure looking for the equalizer, the smirk on some of the committee members face, god id love to win the champions league this year playin barca, madrid and milan up to the final and playing them of the mother ****in park

[SALFORD RED]

The UEFA president Michel Platini is going the right way about becoming English football public enemy n.o 1 as he continues take swipes and digs at "big gun" clubs such as Manchester United.

Earlier having a go at Manchester United American owners, Glazer. Platini has accused the Glazers and other owners of trying to "control football" despite knowing nothing about the sport.

"Why don't they invest in football in America? You don't think they came here for the football. They don't know what football is.
"The popularity of football is now so high that investors are coming over and they consider football to be a product. They just want to make money."
"

Cannot stand the man and he talks complete trash 99% of the time.

But the above is 100% spot on, highlighted parts even more so and it would be impossible for anyone to deny those facts.




But he's still a cnut.

.

[dovorian]

bell end, the english game is too good and the continentals cant seem too deal with it or accept it.

last seasons uefa cup semifinal between seville and tottenham in spain, tottenham played seville off the park, robinson gave away a penalty apparently when infact he got the whole ball clean, have always thought spurs were robbed in that game. Got the feeling the uefa committee hated seeing english clubs dominating european football, hence the early whistle in the champ league final too, liverpool were robbed of 30seconds when they were piling on the pressure looking for the equalizer, the smirk on some of the committee members face, god id love to win the champions league this year playin barca, madrid and milan up to the final and playing them of the mother ****in park

Well makes a change. Your right but im glad they lost, they're just so annoying when they talk, and the media always go on about it for ages. Atleast there on the edge of going out.

Winning the champions league this season would be great, and especially if it was an all English final. Then look at the Commitee members faces. lol

[Keano4taoiseach]

-Ben Foster
-Tom Heaton
-Gary Neville .......Captain of Manchester United Mr. Platini.....need I say anymore...
-Danny Simpson ........back-up.....made appearances this season for first team...
-Phil Bardsley
-Wes Brown ......back-up....first team this season....
-Rio Ferdinand ......key player
-Adam Eckersley
-Chris Eagles ......back-up...made appearances this season.....
-Owen Hargreaves ......key player.....
-Paul Scholes ......key player.....most important player over the last few years Mr. Platini
-Michael Carrick ........back-up....made appearances this season.....
-Ritchie Jones
-Sean Evans
-Wayne Rooney .......key player......top striker for last few seasons....for United and England...
-Frazier Campbell




Good work Kf.......that guy needs a hobbie....



5 of our regular starting players ordinarily are English.......WTF kind of drugs are you on Platini.......and can I have some....:D



Perhaps considering Englands performance in euro qualifiers this may not be the best time but in theory...lol...

Manchester United have four players who start for the England national side.....Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves and Wayne Rooney.....
How many do Arsenal have......?????.......that's right.......none....
How many do Liverpool have....?????......that's right........one
How many do Chelski have.......?????......that's right........four max....

[reddave07]

thing is salford red, yes the glazors couldnt give a toss about the game, the league or united. but these players that have just come in, and bear in mind that they are not run-of-the-mill "jordi cruyff", type players. anderson, tevez and nani are of the cream of world football, and we would not have been able to buy them, (and hargreaves) were it not for glazors money.

with this current squad we may well rule europe for years to come. i hope..

[reddave07]

i personally, would love to see the club owned by the fans, like the barca fans do

[The_Red_Prince]

Good work Kf.......that guy needs a hobbie....



5 of our regular starting players ordinarily are English.......WTF kind of drugs are you on Platini.......and can I have some....:D



Perhaps considering Englands performance in euro qualifiers this may not be the best time but in theory...lol...

Manchester United have four players who start for the England national side.....Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves and Wayne Rooney.....
How many do Arsenal have......?????.......that's right.......none....
How many do Liverpool have....?????......that's right........one
How many do Chelski have.......?????......that's right........four max....
Seriously though,platini should'nt stick his nose were it does'nt belong or he'll be chastised for it.And out of the big four,we have the most potentail english players as shown above by Keano

[andycole9]

There already is advertising during the game - almost all grounds have advertising boards around the pitch.

In American Football games the match has always been split into quarters - not for adverts but because a match can last over 3 hours so players need more breaks. During American football matches, adverts are shown every few minutes because there are stoppages throughout the game. It's the same with boxing - adverts in between each round.

In football, the only time I can foresee adverts being shown is during injury breaks.



Er no, Platini - that's Arsenal. :confused: We have plenty of English players and the likes of Eagles and Simpson have started to emerge from the youth team.

People might start listening to Platini if he had a clue what he was talking about :rolleyes:
great post RD, you hit the nail on the head mate, agree 100%

[carlyluvsunited]

Platini: Ronaldo still has it all to prove


Michel Platini has brought some perspective to the fanfare surrounding Cristiano
Ronaldo's dazzling form for Manchester United.

The Uefa president has warned the Portugal star that he must perform on the
biggest stage of all before taking the plaudits that come with being the best
footballer on the planet.

Ronaldo scored two more goals against Portsmouth on Wednesday, including an
amazing free kick, to make it 19 in The Premier League so far this term.

"If Ronaldo is the best player in the world or Europe he will have to prove it in the
Euros because that will be the only way we can judge him, when all the best
players will have had the chance to be recognised," Platini is quoted as saying in
The Daily Telegraph.

"It's difficult to compare players in competitions and teams. Is it more difficult to
play right wing in Manchester than it is in Italy, where it doesn't exist?

"Ronaldo has a number of advantages to his game and, of course, the last
matches in the finals of the European Championship this summer will be
decisive." www.goal.com

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[Anderson's God]

UEFA president Michel Platini has scoffed at claims that Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the world's best player.

Platini, who has enjoyed chipping away at the Premiership this season, insisted the Portuguese ace cannot be judged the best until he produces on a 'bigger stage'.

"If Ronaldo is the best player in the world or Europe he will have to prove it in the Euros because that will be the only way we can judge him, when all the best players will have had the chance to be recognised," said Platini.

"It's difficult to compare players in competitions and teams. Is it more difficult to play right wing in Manchester than it is in Italy, where it doesn't exist?

"Ronaldo has a number of advantages to his game and, of course, the last matches in the finals of the European Championship this summer will be decisive."

[akash_reds]

ahhh.......he is half right and half wrong.....ronnie is a good player but he has not shown his full potential yet....

[Red Devil]

Ronaldo is the most valuable player in the world right now IF we were to offer him to highest bidder we would wipe out Glazer debt!!!

[mikeybhoy71]

platini is a headcase...the man needs to go to specsavers....urgently:D

[Fergaiste]

I think Paltini is dead right. ronaldo still has to produce on the big stage. He has yet to convince in the games that matter in the Chmpions league or indeed the premiership where he has been largely anonymouse against the other big competitions. As regards Portugal his only contribution of note in a major finals is THAT wink after Rooney got sent off

[mikeybhoy71]

I think Paltini is dead right. ronaldo still has to produce on the big stage. He has yet to convince in the games that matter in the Chmpions league or indeed the premiership where he has been largely anonymouse against the other big competitions. As regards Portugal his only contribution of note in a major finals is THAT wink after Rooney got sent offare you drunk?....for a midfielder/winger his scoring record is phenomenal....cristiano ronaldo is the best footballer on earth...end of story:D

[Fergaiste]

are you drunk?....for a midfielder/winger his scoring record is phenomenal....cristiano ronaldo is the best footballer on earth...end of story:D

you are entitled to your opinion therefore so am I . Please tell me when he has performed to his ability in the knockout stagesof the champions league or against arsenal/chelsea/liverpool. to say the least he has not had half as much influence as he has had against the other teams in the premiership. He was brutal today but then so was the whole team. I'll give you this-nobody does it better against all the mediocre teams in the champions league/premiership. He has matured beyond all recognition over the last 18 months. If he carries on in that vein in the really decisive matches then yes he has the POTENTIAL to be the best player in the world.

By the way to answer to your question I am perfectly sober and it is far from a universal opinion that he is the no 1 player for the reasons mentioned above

[Anderson's God]

you are entitled to your opinion therefore so am I . Please tell me when he has performed to his ability in the knockout stagesof the champions league or against arsenal/chelsea/liverpool. to say the least he has not had half as much influence as he has had against the other teams in the premiership. He was brutal today but then so was the whole team. I'll give you this-nobody does it better against all the mediocre teams in the champions league/premiership. He has matured beyond all recognition over the last 18 months. If he carries on in that vein in the really decisive matches then yes he has the POTENTIAL to be the best player in the world.

By the way to answer to your question I am perfectly sober and it is far from a universal opinion that he is the no 1 player for the reasons mentioned above

Since Having Cristiano Ronaldo at United!
Except AC Milan we haven't really played serious "big guns" in the knockout stages of the CL never mind Ronaldo preforming. 1 season we never even made it! So we can't exactly talk too much there. Nor can Platini!

But I do agree with you about him not preforming against big opposition in the Premiership.

[Fergaiste]

Since Having Cristiano Ronaldo at United!
Except AC Milan we haven't really played serious "big guns" in the knockout stages of the CL never mind Ronaldo preforming. 1 season we never even made it! So we can't exactly talk too much there. Nor can Platini!

But I do agree with you about him not preforming against big opposition in the Premiership.

Fair enough I take your point and on reflection its not just him but really until this season except for the roma game where the whole team were great he has underperformed in Europe. I hope come May to be able to agree with mikeybhoy but at this juncture this talk is premature. No player has ever been crowned world player of the year in January just over half way through the season in a league whre the majority of the teams are substandard

[mikeybhoy71]

you are entitled to your opinion therefore so am I . Please tell me when he has performed to his ability in the knockout stagesof the champions league or against arsenal/chelsea/liverpool. to say the least he has not had half as much influence as he has had against the other teams in the premiership. He was brutal today but then so was the whole team. I'll give you this-nobody does it better against all the mediocre teams in the champions league/premiership. He has matured beyond all recognition over the last 18 months. If he carries on in that vein in the really decisive matches then yes he has the POTENTIAL to be the best player in the world.

By the way to answer to your question I am perfectly sober and it is far from a universal opinion that he is the no 1 player for the reasons mentioned aboveRIGHT...where do i start...cristiano ronaldo is an awesome player...he has gone beyond the realms of being a prospect...and he will get better...if you call ROMA/SPORTING LISBON...etc mediocre then you can have no concept of what it means,im a moderator on a celtic forum and ran a poll on who celtic fans would sign out of ronaldo/messi/kaka and i wasted my time cos ronaldo ran away with it...what he has to do to prove to you only god knows...if you are sober...have a beer...might cheer you up:D

[Rampage]

are you drunk?....for a midfielder/winger his scoring record is phenomenal....cristiano ronaldo is the best footballer on earth...end of story:D

Get off the guys dick.

[carlyluvsunited]

Platini is absolutely right !!

He's no idiot and he doesn't have a problem with United or the UK ...

He's just honest ...

When has Ronnie ever stood tall on the big occassion ... ?

Cup Final ... Liverpool ... Arsenal ... AC Milan ...

Where was he yesterday ... ?

In fact he was so worried about his image yesterday he even passed off the
reponsibility of a free kick !!

That kick was in 'perfect Ronnie range' ...

How many times have we seen him push people out of the way to grab the ball
and have a shot at goal ?

Every time ...

But yesterday he was so bad he just slid the ball to the right for Rooney to shoot.

I never thought I would ever see Ronnie do that !!

Liverpool, Spurs and Milan all did the one thing he cant handle ...

They closed him down fast, rushed him and annoyed him ...

And it works !!

I'm not anti-Ronnie either by the way so save any crap like that.

I just dont get blinded by all the goals 'v' Portsmouth, Newcastle, Wigan or mighty
Derby.

I look for the big time goals 'v' Pool, Arse, Milan, Cup Final goals etc etc a la
Cantona !!!.

Yes he's only 22 - yes it will come - yes he has the ability and yes he is in the top
3 in the world......

But why blow smoke up his ass like he is perfect ... ?

[Jazz 16]

Id have to agree with some of the above posts, especially Carlys.
There has been talk of comparisons to Georgie Best recently and Ill add a few stats to back up my point.
Their head to heads are remarkably similar to some degree.

Professional debuts-both 17
First goal-both 17
International debut-best 17yrs 11 months, Ronnie-18 yrs 6 months.
First int goal-Best 18 and Ronnie 19.
English player of the year both 22.
European player of the year. Best-22yrs, Ronnie-still trying.

This for me is the main difference:
Ronaldo's record vs the top 4:
vs Chelsea-played 9 goals 0
vs Liverpool-played 7 goals 0
vs Arsenal-played 10 goals 3
Total played 26 goals 3

George Best excelled on the big stage.
When United won in Europe in 1968 Best scored in the semi against the mighty Madrid and AGAIN in the final against Benfica.
Best had already defined his iconic status with 2 goals and a virtuoso performance in the away leg of the quarter final against Benfica in 65/66. This game essentially gave him the nickname of the fifth beatle.

Best was the greatest and did it when it counted in all the big games.
I feel Ronaldo can reach his level and in the last 18 months HAS shown incredible form but until he does it against the best teams and best defenders he cant be considered the greatest on earth.
As Fergaiste mentioned above, he has the potential to become the best and be a legend at OT, but until he does it against the very best, Platini is right.

[Fergaiste]

RIGHT...where do i start...cristiano ronaldo is an awesome player...he has gone beyond the realms of being a prospect...and he will get better...if you call ROMA/SPORTING LISBON...etc mediocre then you can have no concept of what it means,im a moderator on a celtic forum and ran a poll on who celtic fans would sign out of ronaldo/messi/kaka and i wasted my time cos ronaldo ran away with it...what he has to do to prove to you only god knows...if you are sober...have a beer...might cheer you up:D

okay I hope by reading the other people's threads after mine that you can now put some perspective on Ronaldo's position amongst the top players on the world.

To take your first point If you had read my previous thread i agree he was excellent against Roma last season but apart from that game he was anonymous in europe until that is this season. Okay he has been inspired this season but the jury is still out as the group was made up of vastly inferior sides.

to take your second point of course celtic fans are going to pick Ronaldo as the player they would sign , sure isnt he on every week of the season on tv compared to the other 2.Let's all hope that cristiano can do " a kaka" and be the matchwinner in a euro semi or final. I repeat no world player of the year awards have ever been awarded to players who excel against journeymen teams.

let's look at it another way. Lampard & Gerrard are hyped up as world class judging by their performances in the premiership where there are arguably only 3 decent sides.They were shown up as average players on the international stage by Croatia etc.

Respected analysts of the game like Giles,Brady & dunphy have grown in admiration for Madeira's finest but as Jazz 16 says until he performs consistently in the really big games then they themselves will be the first to acknowledge him as numero uno.

then Mikey we can maybe have a gargle together:D

[Wazza1989]

platini is gelous....that he wasn't as good as ronaldo in his time.....sorry....michel

[Grif SA]

If only we could respond to Platini with this:

Cantona > Platini

:D I'm sure he'd have a few choice words then.

However, unfortunately, Platini is correct in the assertion that Ronaldo hasn't stepped up in the big games. But Ronaldo does face quality opposition week in and week out. He does play in the Premiership after all. Compare Ronaldo to Messi, who got a hattrick against Real Madrid.

[manutd004]

Platini just likes to hear his voice I think.

Ronaldo, on current form, is the best player in the World.

But he does probably need to play better against the 'big guns'

If he does that, then he will TRULY BE the Best In The World.

[akash_reds]

Id have to agree with some of the above posts, especially Carlys.
There has been talk of comparisons to Georgie Best recently and Ill add a few stats to back up my point.
Their head to heads are remarkably similar to some degree.

Professional debuts-both 17
First goal-both 17
International debut-best 17yrs 11 months, Ronnie-18 yrs 6 months.
First int goal-Best 18 and Ronnie 19.
English player of the year both 22.
European player of the year. Best-22yrs, Ronnie-still trying.

This for me is the main difference:
Ronaldo's record vs the top 4:
vs Chelsea-played 9 goals 0
vs Liverpool-played 7 goals 0
vs Arsenal-played 10 goals 3
Total played 26 goals 3

George Best excelled on the big stage.
When United won in Europe in 1968 Best scored in the semi against the mighty Madrid and AGAIN in the final against Benfica.
Best had already defined his iconic status with 2 goals and a virtuoso performance in the away leg of the quarter final against Benfica in 65/66. This game essentially gave him the nickname of the fifth beatle.

Best was the greatest and did it when it counted in all the big games.
I feel Ronaldo can reach his level and in the last 18 months HAS shown incredible form but until he does it against the best teams and best defenders he cant be considered the greatest on earth.
As Fergaiste mentioned above, he has the potential to become the best and be a legend at OT, but until he does it against the very best, Platini is right.
great to know the stats jazz....ronnie has the skill to be a great among united.......he has to start playing well consistently and grow as a player...

[donthered]

They never seem to give credit to anyone in England. Its always about Italy. where you have more time on the ball. Look at Kaka playing at a mid table team in Italy. If Ronaldo played for Ac Milain they would be better they mid table.

[Fergaiste]

They never seem to give credit to anyone in England. Its always about Italy. where you have more time on the ball. Look at Kaka playing at a mid table team in Italy. If Ronaldo played for Ac Milain they would be better they mid table.

yes but the difference is that Ac Milan especially last season when they were docked points put greater value in winning the Champions league than their domestic league. Kaka was the main inspiration behind them winning it last season and therefore was rightly acclaimed as world player of the year.

In saying that I think milan have declined this season mainly be cause its an ageing team and cant see them repeating that feat this year

[mufcjoe]

Also, as it's more difficult against bigger teams, we cant afford to give Ronaldo space and a free role so he doesnt get forward as often and can't go on runs past 4/5 players, but learning what to do in these situations will come with experience! And anyways, Kaka scored only 8 goals in Serie A last season! He doesnt do it every game. He turned up in the CL mainly.

Just imagine if Ronaldo was ****ing amazing in CL but rather average in the league, we'd be ****ing angry at his poor league performance.

Unfortunately, around the world, most people only see other nations teams in the CL which is where they formed the opinion that Kaka > Ronaldo!

[SALFORD RED]

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2008/03/17/uefa-platini.html



Platini tells English soccer fans to oppose foreign owners

UEFA president Michel Platini urged English soccer fans Monday to spearhead the opposition against foreign owners in the Premier League.

Platini believes top clubs are too willing to sell themselves — particularly to wealthy Americans.

"I am totally against that Downing Street will be bought by Americans and [also] clubs bought by Americans," said Platini, referring to the London home of the British prime minister. "I think the identity of the city is the identity of the club."

Nine of the 20 first division clubs are owned by foreign investors, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Derby County in American hands.

For months, Liverpool fans have campaigned to force out American co-owners George Gillett Jr., who also owns the Montreal Canadiens, and Tom Hicks.

"The identity of big clubs are the stories of the cities," Platini said Monday. "I can do nothing by laws or rules. Your Parliament or FA [Football Association] can decide things. It's up to you [the English] to do that.

"It's a typical English problem," Platini added. "If people would like to buy in France, because I am a citizen of France I will do my best, but because I am not English I can do nothing."

Platini doubted that FIFA president Sepp Blatter's "6+5" rule, which would limit a club's ability to select overseas players, was feasible.

Looking to boost homegrown talent
Platini and Blatter are set to meet next month with European Commission officials to discuss the plan, which is designed to increase opportunities for homegrown talent by forcing clubs to field at least six players eligible to play for the domestic national team.

"To be president of UEFA is not so easy because you have FIFA on your right back and the European Commission on your left back," Platini said. "OK, it's a very good fight 6+5 because I share the views of the [FIFA] president to have 6+5, but I don't know if it will be possible with respect to the laws in Europe."

.

[Keano4taoiseach]

Platini speaks some sense at last :eek:

[akash_reds]

correct k4t....im sure nobody is a big fan of american owners but the decision is out of our hands other than the officials of the team being bought.....

[dlan4327]

I just got my very first UEFA copyright infringement notice today. Do I celebrate? I mean honestly I could take it when Platini

went on his crusade against all English Clubs & Englishmen for that matter. I even didn't mind when he singled out Man United.

After all when we complained about Madrid & Ronaldo, I was willing to admit United have taken other clubs start players

in the past, like Tevez & we'll probably do so again. So fair enough if UEFA don't want to get there hands dirty.


I even don't mind Platini blantant favouritism of Juve, he sees them through rose tinted googles no matter what.

Then I received this. Just now, in fact, a little earlier today.

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/4366/uefacopyrightyk5.png

So now, as they say, it's on. Oh it's so on. Just who does this French pounce think he is? Meddling with my club is one thing.

Now he comes into my Youtube account and takes down my video, deprving the masses of pure footballing entertainment. (Cheesy Godfather reference).

Exactly why do UEFA do this? Do they think they can stop people enjoying football?

Have the learned nothing from the music industry? If you can't beat em, join em.

Platini has opened a can of worms. It's time to prove to him that you can't silence the people. Who's with me? :)

[Red Devil]

why dont you email EUFA? Give them hell.

[ManUtd19]

You're just one of many people to have that problem. I take it it's a football video? It's just a bit unusual because it's not something you can just purchase from the iTunes store, like comedy central, music videos, family guy etc.

If they pulled your video on principle, then every single Youtube video that contains CL, Euro & Uefa Cup footage should also be pulled. Pretty stupid.

[CaptainRoyKeane]

What a joke!

[dlan4327]

You're just one of many people to have that problem. I take it it's a football video?

I know I'm one of many & yes it was Robben's goal against France. The point I'm trying to make is that surely UEFA understand

that highlights will always be there on the internet. For every 10 videos they delete there'll still be another 10 they miss.

They know this so frankly why don't they wise up & try and embrace user content? The music industry found a middle ground with iTunes.


They realised they couldn't stop it so they've made their peace with that and they're better off. Removing video's doesn't really solve the problem.

People will just find another & all it does it give people another reason to grumble about UEFA. If I thought they'd listen I'd write to UEFA.

The fact is maybe, & it's a stretch, if I got a huge petition UEFA would possibly give me an ear or at least let me voice my opinion.


Of course it would be a long shot requiring a phenomenal amount of people & there's no guarentee UEFA would acknowledge it.

Plus I wouldn't know how to go about creating a giant online petition. Anybody have a clue? :)

[RedForceRising]

http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=882180

Uefa President Michel Platini has once again launched a scathing attack on the Premier League for its continued willingness to allow foreign investors to takeover English clubs.

http://i.media.goal.com/g/22522_news.jpg

In a long line of attacks, the Frenchman has criticised various elements of the English game as he looks to stamp his authority in the European game.

With Manchester City joining the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa in being bought out, Platini has launched another broadside on the world's most lucrative league for its 'liberalism' when it comes to ownership.

"I am worried by this, of course," Platini told French newspaper Sud Ouest. "I am trying to alert the authorities but this is the liberalism of the English - what can we do?"

Platini went on to outline his plan to establish a European Board of Control and Management to mirrow France's DNCG, a body which regulates the financial side of professional football within the game.

"I am in the process of working to put in place a European DNCG. I have meetings lined up with experts to find out what paths we can take."

When asked whether the move is an attempt to introduce greater financial equality within the game, Platini said: "We would like that, but there will always be clubs a lot richer than others.

"And we can't fix the same rules for everyone simply because the tax system, or the centralisation of TV rights for example, aren't the same in France and in Spain. "These are national problems which I can't fight against."

Will Wood

[scottsati]

platini was one of the greatest players of all time..... was fortunate enough to see him play, a true genius , better than zidane in my opinion. but just like everyone who accepts a " political" job, which is what it is really he's stuck between his principles and making compromises. some of his ideas make sense and are gr8 but like every other person in this type of job he's gone too far on many occasions and come up with some total garbage...people are forgetting what a great player he was and instead he's becoming a figure of fun and hatred which is sad really...but by taking the job he's gonna have to put up with his reputation being shredded on a daily basis

[Zense_United]

he's a faggot