UEFA president Michel Platini has told European
Championship expansion critics not to play if they do not like the changes.
The competition finals originally only contained four
teams when it started in 1960, before expanding to eight for the 1980 edition
and then to 16 ahead of Euro '96 in England.
Sixteen sides have contested the competition in each of
the last five championships, but that will be increased once again to 24 for
Euro 2016, which will be hosted by France.
Speaking on the eve of the qualifying draw for the
tournament and at the launch of his 'week of football' plan - which will see
qualifying for the finals spread out rather than the bulk of international
matches being played on one night of the week - Platini revealed that England
were among the countries who did not support the planned expansion.
And when the Frenchman was told of objections voiced
publicly by Germany coach Joachim Low this week, he gave a fiery response.
"He shouldn't play it then, in that case,"
Platini told a news conference.
"The decision (to expand to 24 teams) was taken by
the vast majority. Two or three associations - England, Germany, the big ones
basically - weren't in favour, but of the 54, 51 actually supported the
tournament.
"So, in any democracy, when the vast majority are in
favour, you go forward with it even if England or Germany aren't for it.
"We can have 24 very good teams, so this tournament
can be a success."
Platini was also vocal in his belief that the new 'week
of football' format, spreading qualifiers over six nights of the week, will be a
success and will push international football back to the forefront of the game.
He added: "The week of football' is a new concept
for national team matches, agreed unanimously by national associations.
"It was a political decision. National football had
been pushed out of the limelight by the club game and, while domestic leagues
and the Champions League are wonderful competitions, we want to see the
national game take more importance once again."
Culled from Soccerway
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