Platini: Admits to worrying times
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Platini concerned over transfer fees
UEFA president Michel Platini has reiterated his concern over the amounts of money changing hands in the transfer market this summer.
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On Wednesday night, Real Madrid agreed a deal with Lyon for Karin Benzema which would take their close-season spending spree over the 200million euro mark following the acquisitions of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul Albiol.
The Frenchman told L'Equipe: "Ronaldo's transfer stood out for me, but if Real have guarantees from the banks... On a personal note, I don't understand how anyone can spend 90million (euros) on a player. I'm embarrassed.
"But I remember the Maradona transfer from Barcelona to Napoli (in 1984). This would be the equivalent of 6.5 million and I found that vulgar. I think there is something wrong there.
"I don't like that, and even less given the fact that today players sign contracts only to then go and break them. But, as I said, if clubs have the money, what can I do?"
Platini last month described Madrid's £80million swoop for Ronaldo, which came just days after the £56million signing of Kaka from AC Milan, as "excessive" and revealed UEFA considered ongoing talks with clubs in a bid to establish a new set of financial rules their "top priority".
The 54-year-old remains keen to ensure there is "financial fair play", but warns it will take time before measures, such as a salary cap, are introduced.
"We will do something," he said. "We are working on that. But it will take a little time. Perhaps two or three years. I want to establish rules."
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Your Comments
steff7t4 (Arsenal fan)
"Real seem to be able to buy anyone in the worlrd except Wenger, he stands out with regards to integrity.
Hang your heads in shame you Arsenal fans that give him a hard time, apart from having Arsenals best interests at heart he has football best interests at heart. The Guy brings something more important than just success to the club bring values and soul."
mathisen (Liverpool fan)
"inside uefa, platini is one of very few with some integrity intact. look at what he wants to do regarding the chamions league; give some of the power to the successfull smaller clubs on the continent from the big boys.. a very welcome move.
And if he send some economic restrictions real`s and chelsea`s way, then things are looking good"
Greendude (Middlesbrough fan)
"salary cap and transfer cap is stupid...finanical fairplay is stupid...it's impossible to enforce...or does he mean fair play for champions league teams only? cos to impose even a £10m transfer cap on players wouldn't be financially fair for teams in the 3rd division."
hodgethecat (Arsenal fan)
"I thought Real Madrid had a God-given right to be the best team in the world. Am I wrong?"
WELOVERE (Lewes fan)
"a dont know why real madrid are spending 150 million or something on kaka ronaldo and benzema they need to have a better defence instead of getting them three
"But I remember the Maradona transfer from Barcelona to Napoli (in 1984). This would be the equivalent of 6.5 million and I found that vulgar. I think there is something wrong there.
and maradona was a much better player than you mr platini
"
dee11 (Liverpool fan)
"salary caps are a joke and if a club can afford to spend so much on a player then so be it, better the players getting the money then the fat cats up in the corp boxes i say"
burmesebob
"oharsenalboy (Arsenal fan) - fella - slight mistake in your accounting I think. From the time Abramovich took over to the start of the season with the self proclaimed 'special one' - 1 year 2 months - the spend was approximatel £215M - thats was over 300M Euro then - and was 5 years ago! so 3x what you said. Also its less that City will spend from when the Sheik took over to this close season - including Tevez, Eto'o and Lescott if we get them all. Bit of perspective there.
Being a bit sad and a bit pi$$ed off at the flack City are gettting I worked it out - Wayne Bridge (£7M), Glen Johnson (£6M), Damien Duff (£17m), Geremi (£7m), Joe Cole (£6.6m), Juan Sebastian Veron (£15m) , Adrian Mutu (£15.8m), Hernan Crespo (£16.8m), Alexei Smertin (£3.5m), Claude Makelele (£16m) , Scott Parker (£10m), Petr Cech (£7m) , Paulo Ferreira (£13.2m), Mateja Kezman (£5m), Arjen Robben (c£15m), Didier Drogba (£24m), Tiago (c£10m), Ricardo Carvalho (£19.85m)
Citys signings inc potential is £175M since the arabs - Robinho (£32.5M), Wayne Bridge (£10M), Craig Bellamy (£14M), Nigel DeJong (£12M), Shay Given (£5.9M), Gareth Barry (£12M), Roque Santa Cruz (£17.5M), Carlos Tevez (£25.5M), Samuel Eto'o (£25M), Jolien Lescott (£20M). Goes up by another£ £38M for hughes's pre-arab signings as well.
A lot of cash but in todays market not as much as Chelski's
"
clarkeeee (Manchester United fan)
"simonmark, Manchester United fan. I hear ya. It's a possiblity but the last time that happened there wasn't a global recession. It'd be interesting to see how the population of Spain reacts to such a move."
neil26 (Newcastle United fan)
"I like Platini. He sticks to his guns no matter who it is spending the large sums of money. Blatter, on the other hand, defends Real Madrid but then launches an assault on English clubs' spending patterns. Platini is saying exactly what he would say if Real Madrid were English and is showing no bias."
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