MILAN (AP) — UEFA President Michel Platini has criticized soccer clubs for still having debts and says he remains firmly behind financial fair play rules.
UEFA rules designed to curb reckless spending by clubs began in July and will be phased in over several seasons.
Platini, who was in Milan to receive an award Monday, says “financial fair play is very important in this period of economic crisis. I don’t understand why football squads should have so much debt.”
Platini devised the new financial fair-play system, which calls for clubs to be barred from the Champions League and Europa League if they cannot break even on soccer-related business.
