Platini eyes spending cap for Euro clubs

MICHEL PLATINI yesterday told the European parliament how UEFA plan to address two issues which he believes are blighting football — the frivolous spending of clubs and the exploitation of young players.

The UEFA president warned that “the values that football represents are in danger” and told MEPs in Brussels that UEFA are considering enforcing a cap on the expenditure of clubs.

The 53-year-old former France captain also described the recruitment of overseas youngsters by Europe’s top clubs as “exploiting child labour” and “child trafficking”.

Platini has been an outspoken critic of the excessive spending of Europe’s elite clubs — much of which is based on borrowed credit or the personal spending of wealthy benefactors — and insists it is the clubs themselves who have requested the move.

“European clubs are telling us that our system is in danger of financially imploding in the medium term,” he said. “In consultation with them, but also, spurred on by the reports of this parliament, we are currently looking at the idea of limiting, to a certain degree, a club’s expenditure on staff — salary and transfer fees combined — to an as yet undecided percentage of its direct and indirect sporting revenue.”

Platini hinted discussions over a salary cap were accelerated by one club’s “astronomical bids” during the January transfer window. It is believed he was referring to Man City, owned by Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Investment Group, and their bid for AC Milan’s Kaka. City tabled a bid of £90m (e100m) for the Brazilian, offering wages in excess of £250,000 per week — but the playmaker opted to stay at Milan.

Platini pleaded with the European parliament to help UEFA make football more financially stable despite labour laws which currently promote free trade.

“Whatever happens, please do not stop us, on the basis of inappropriate legislation, from establishing financial fair play,” he added.

“Do not stop us from acting morally. All the stakeholders — clubs, players and national associations — agree with my proposals for greater financial transparency and better governance.”

Platini also hopes to end the practice of recruiting talented children — according to the Frenchman, who cites the UN Convention, those under 18 — from overseas, which he believes is tantamount to “trafficking”.

The UEFA president believes children have a fundamental right to grow up among friends and family.

“Free movement from the age of 16 encourages international trafficking of children,” he said. “Most youngsters who are brought to Europe from third-world countries do not become Ronaldinhos or Eto’os.

“Often enticed by a shady agent, they stagnate for a few years in a semi-professional club in eastern or southern Europe, usually ending up with no qualifications, no future in sport and no identity papers, doing odd jobs for paltry wages.”

He added: “I am now convinced the international transfer of players under 18 should be prohibited, in accordance with the FIFA statutes.

“Some people talk about the free movement of workers. I am talking about the protection of children.”