Michel Platini: Ideas to save the game of football

[dom9]

Another cliché Dom, poor form.

[Alex]

So every country that hosts a game qualifies automatically ? As is the way with host nations ?

No, they are saying that no one qualifies automatically now. Making it more competitive in theory. I think I like the idea. People will go around, and the games will be played in the best stadiums in Europe.

[Muddled]

Well, instead of one bung, UEFA can now accept 15 bungs to *host* a game.

With regards to the actual tournament, they'd have to have group games relatively close by, Shirley?

[Captain Stu]

They'd have to have group games relatively close by, Shirley?

I would've thought so - each team plays in a certain country or city - and don't call me Shirley.

[Alex]

I guess that wont matter so much. The world Cup in Japan and South Korea was spread out, so was the one in America.

Travel around Europe is so easy now, I dont think that'll be an issue.

[Bender]

Nuke Wales.

[Muddled]

But where will we base the squad, media and WAGs? It's going to cause quite the mischief.

And no tanned Chiles getting his chat on about local culture.

Very, *very* sad times.

[Alex]

I think they might have to lengthen the group stage. 3 games in 7 days across 3 countries might take its toll.

[Captain Stu]

I think they might have to lengthen the group stage. 3 games in 7 days across 3 countries might take its toll.

Yup. Players are more prone to certain types of injuries if they're flying too much, hamstrings being one of the big ones. More travel = more injuries.

[ChesterDave]

I was listening to the debate on 5 Live this morning and mostly just people talking crap but one chap made a point that gave me an idea.

His suggestion was to have the best of both worlds so every third tournament would have the pan-Europe set-up. Not a fan of that as I still don't like the concept no matter how infrequent it is.

However, if Platini is intent on expanding it to 32 teams (stupid idea ion itself) and he is intent on having it held across multiple venues why not just pick 5 nations each time.

4 nations can each host 2 qualifying groups each then the 5th nation can host the knockout stages.

It cuts down on player and fan travel to the ridiculous extent it is now but also offers it to wider audiences. Only having to host 12 games in a group stage will open the competition up to smaller nations with fewer large stadiums.

At least the stages are more focused than a group that could possibly contain Portugal, Ukraine, Scotland and Greece with people clocking up obscene quantities of air miles.

[Tee]

Best way for Platini to save football is to get the **** out of the game.

[Kenneth]

Football has been **** since French people had control.

[Neil Young]

Platini...er, who else?

[Alex]

Blatter is Swiss isn't he?

[Kenneth]

Yeah, but he speaks French.