By Martin Banks - 5th November 2009
The current situation is simply not sustainable
Michel Platini
UEFA president Michel Platini says major football clubs face going to the wall unless they rein in their spending.
Speaking in parliament on Thursday, the UEFA president defended his organisation's recently-unveiled financial fair play scheme.
Under this clubs would not be allowed to spend more than they generate in income.
The scheme is designed to stem the tide of clubs facing financial problems and even bankruptcy.
The former French star was speaking at a news conference after a meeting with parliament's president Jerzy Buzek.
Platini told this website that some 50 per cent of professional clubs in Europe were experiencing some form of financial difficulty.
Of these, he said, 25 per cent faced "huge" money problems.
"Clearly, if this situation goes on then it will not be long before even some major clubs face going out of business. The current situation is simply not sustainable."
He also said that plans to hold the European championships in Poland and Ukraine were "on track" despite fears about preparations, particularly in Ukraine.
Speaking at the same conference, Buzek praised Uefa for its efforts to "tackle corruption, doping and racism" in the sport.
He also pointed out that the Lisbon treaty made a particular reference to the importance sport plays in the lives of Europeans.
He also invited Platini to referee a football match between MEPs and national MPs in Strasbourg next year to mark the 60th anniversary of the Schuman declaration.
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