Wednesday, 31st October, 2012
One of Europe’s top agents, Mino Raiola, has cast doubt on UEFA’s financial fair play rules, insisting that they are clearly not consistent with the organisation’s sponsorship policy for the Champions League.
Raiola represents a number of star players, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, of Paris Saint-Germain, and Mario Balotelli, of Manchester City.
Both play for clubs which could be badly affected by UEFA’s new regulations, which aim to force clubs to live within their means and also introduce restrictions on the amount of money which can be lost by teams.
Raiola has slammed UEFA and its president Michel Platini though, in an explosive interview with Swedish daily Expressen.
The Italian blasted Platini as someone who "has never done anything important for football. Just things which benefit him".
He also took aim at FIFA president Sepp Blatter, labelling the Swiss administrator a "demented dictator".
relatedNewsStorySpecifically on UEFA’s fair play rules though, Raiola accused the organisation of double standards, noting how they are only too willing to hoover up lucrative sponsorship contracts to bankroll the Champions League, but want to deny clubs those same opportunities.
"UEFA and FIFA do not think that the Qatari owners can sponsor Paris Saint-Germain", said Raiola, "what is the difference between that and the Champions League sponsors?
"They should practice what they preach."
Have you checked out Inside Bet yet? Don’t miss the best football betting site around!
