PLATINI `TOO HARD` ON WENGER

zocoss

23 Sep 08, 22:34

Arsene Wenger

A WAR of words has erupted between UEFA president Michel Platini and Arsene Wenger. The head of European football’s governing body has slammed the Arsenal manager’s calls for video technology to be introduced to rule on questionable refereeing decisions.

Platini, who is strongly opposed to the idea, said: "It would make me happy that Arsene Wenger never sees it happen."

The UEFA supremo also accused Wenger of caring more about the business side of the game rather than what happens on the pitch. He added: "I like to talk about football, him (Wenger) about business."

Platini has even suggested Wenger has a problem with teams from weaker footballing nations competing in the Champions League. When asked about his thoughts on Romanian side CFR Cluj's unexpected victory over Roma last week, the Frenchman said: “That is what makes football so great. “It is what people like Wenger do not want, little clubs beating the big clubs, because they want their business."

But Wenger has hit back at his countryman and called on Platini to reconsider his opinions. The Gunners boss said: "I am stunned by the aggressive content of Platini's words. "I am effectively a supporter of video assistance for referees, like all coaches, and I believe UEFA have an important role to play in this.

"I am for sporting justice and UEFA must be the guarantor of it. "I am a supporter of good management of clubs, for financial equilibrium. "And UEFA must equally support this idea. I am fighting for the future of the game and of football. "I don't see why UEFA should take umbrage at ideas that are different from their own."

I-like-flings(m)

23 Sep 08, 22:37

Of cos Platini not interested in business lah... cos he to busy with fame and power what...

omgukilledkenny

25 Sep 08, 22:05

Platini in war against Gunners

Uefa president Michel Platini has admitted having been 'too harsh' on Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger when declaring his fellow countryman was more interested in business than football.

But the former playmaker has slammed the Alsatian for ‘picking’ kids from smaller clubs, and declared he plans to create new rules in order to stop a system that The Gunners use so well.

“I have been too harsh with Arsene,” Platini told Sud-Ouest. “I got told off by my daddy, who made him (Wenger) start his career (at Nancy).

“But when I speak about business, I mean I do not like him seeking 13 or 14-year-old kids. I cannot stand it.

“My plan is to work with the football family to fight for the kids’ education in order that the Arsenal people do not come and pick 13-year-old Bordeaux kids for example.”

youyayu

25 Sep 08, 22:34

no wodner mourinho call him voyure.. imagine have ur 14 year old kids being starred by wenger =X

Trump_Card

25 Sep 08, 22:46

Mourinho didn't called him voyeur for that reason

zocoss

26 Sep 08, 10:24

PLATINI `TOO HARD` ON WENGER

UEFA president Michel Platini has conceded he was "too hard" on Arsene Wenger in his recent verbal attack on the Arsenal manager. On Tuesday, Platini was quoted as saying "I like to talk about football, him (Wenger) about business. We must stop with Wenger and all that."

Wenger was left "stunned" by his fellow Frenchman's comments, while the League Managers' Association leapt to the defence of the Gunners boss.

And now Platini has admitted he might have been overly critical of Wenger, telling Sud Ouest: "I was too hard on Arsene.

"My dad [Aldo Platini] told me off. He was the one who gave him [Wenger] his break (at Nancy)."

However, Platini went on to express his dislike for clubs that sign emerging talent at a young age - a policy regularly adoted by Wenger at Arsenal.

He added: "When I talk about business, what I am talking about is recruiting players when they are 13 or 14. I can't stand it."

longchiambutz

26 Sep 08, 11:51

i fully support Wenger for the use of video technology

.....but not to "stare" at youngsters la! LOL

redDUST

26 Sep 08, 12:37

some like it hard.