Barca, Real win Platini praise

UEFA president Michel Platini has hailed the ownership model employed by La Liga heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The two clubs belong to and are effectively answerable to their members. The system, which allows supporters to have a greater say in the running of their club, has won the approval of Platini.

“I love the management structure of Real Madrid and Barcelona because the members remain responsible for the club and their decisions,” the former Juventus man told L’Equipe.

“Both preserve their identity and the popularity of football lies precisely in the fact that there are such strong ties with the fans.”

Platini was less enthusiastic when it came to the issue of video technology in football.

Many believe that it is high time that the sport utilised television replays to assist referees with big calls during matches, but the Frenchman believes that controversy is an integral part of football.

“Football is popular because of its human values and that includes its mistakes,” he said. “If we are to prioritise the business value, then we will lose that popularity.”

“Football is great as it is – even with its injustices, like that Germany-France semi-final in 1982, or with the hand of (Diego) Maradona. Or (Thierry) Henry.”

Despite Platini’s stance, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has stated video technology could be introduced in time for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.