MICHEL PLATINI: "MODERN FOOTBALL BELONGS TO TRAINERS AND CLUB CHAIRMEN"
YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, NOYAN TAPAN. "Years ago football belonged
to players, and now it more belongs to trainers and chairmen
of clubs." Michel Platini, the Deputy Chairman of the Football
Federation of France, a member of the FIFA and UEFA Executive
Committees expressed such an opinion at the August 3 press-conference
convened in Sevan. According to the veteran of the French football,
the essential difference between football of his time and of today
is provided by the economic factor. M.Platini mentioned that he
visits Armenia for the first time. According to him, this visit
has a great meaning for him, as he follows the Armenian sporting
processes and have seen "what a work has been done in the direction of
development of football among the youth during some years." Before the
press-conference, M.Platini spoke on this theme at the meeting with
RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. Touching upon the game shown by
the team of France at the 2006 world championship, M.Platini mentioned
that the Frenchmen justified themselves at the meetings with teams of
Spain and Portugal. Responding the question if he shares the opinion
concerning the likeness of French team leader Zinedine Zidane’s and
his style of play, M.Platini said that no football player may look
like another. According to Chairman of the Football Federation of
Armenia Ruben Hayrapetian, Armenia will vote for Michel Platini at
the expected elections of the UEFA Chairman.