Platini yet to get apology from England's Richards

Istanbul: Michel Platini has not yet received a promised apology from Premier League chairman Dave Richards, who described FIFA and UEFA last week as “gangs” who “stole football” from England.

“Maybe it got lost in the corridors of UEFA,” Platini said, when asked about Richards’ proposed apology following UEFA’s Congress on Thursday.

Platini, who is UEFA president and a FIFA vice president, said Richards’ remarks at a sports conference in Qatar were “slightly surprising.”

The 68-year-old English official’s criticism drew extra attention after he later fell into an ornamental pool at a post-conference function in Doha.

Richards did not attend UEFA’s gathering in Istanbul, despite being expected to sign a working accord with Platini on behalf of the European leagues’ umbrella group.

“What was important was to have the contract with the (leagues) signed,” Platini said.

Platini, who proclaimed the unity of Europe’s “football family” during the 53-nation congress, dismissed the comment about UEFA’s intent toward England, which codified modern football in 1863.

“We are not a gang at UEFA and the English are so generous they have given football to the entire planet,” the former France great said. “When they have given it, they no longer own it.”

England fans have also traditionally been among the most eager buyers of tickets for FIFA’s World Cup and UEFA’s European Championship tournaments.

However, Platini acknowledged that the England vs France game at Euro 2012 is one of only “four to five” at the 31-match tournament in Poland and Ukraine which has not sold out.

“Slowly but surely things are moving. We have no concern the stadia will be filled to the rafters in the end,” Platini said.

England and France meet on June 11 at the 50,000-capacity Donbass Arena in the industrial eastern Ukraine city of Donetsk.

Though the stadium is one of the most modern and spectacular in Europe, the city’s lack of hotels means many ticket holders must seek accommodation at least 100 kilometers (62 miles) away.

UEFA also asked Ukrainian authorities last month to lower their charges after reports of price-gouging for the few rooms available.

AP