Platini Wants Change

12/27/2008		A Tokwiro Token
Home History Games News Dictionary		President of the Union of European Football Association, Michel Platini, has taken a strong stance on asking for a policing association to protect the game of football from foreign online betting companies, isolating Asia as a major source of problematic hosting. He made his plea to European lawmakers this past week in Athens, asking them to use new liberalization in sports to curtail ethical problems related to the industry. The conference at which he spoke in Greece was called together to discuss possible courses of action in preventing and punishing unfair and unethical methods in online sports betting. "We have this incredible opportunity in the coming weeks or months through the liberalization of betting," Platini said. "Before, betting was state-run, now anybody can organize bets... Today, most illegal forms of betting come from Asia or China." In response to inquiries regarding the Union's responsibility in such issues, Platini said that it was his responsibility rather to notify authorities that such a need is present. They've no power to prosecute even if the UEFA were able to determine the source of illegal betting activities, be they referees, players, or club leaders. "UEFA has no jurisdiction, which is why I have said we need a European sports police." Flushing out his proposal, Platini said he would ask the next session of Congress that the warning system for UEFA tournaments also apply to all domestic games, and compensation will be provided to national associations. Without such changes, Platini dramatically and pessimistically foresees the death of the system.

12/27/2008

A Tokwiro Token

President of the Union of European Football Association, Michel Platini, has taken a strong stance on asking for a policing association to protect the game of football from foreign online betting companies, isolating Asia as a major source of problematic hosting. He made his plea to European lawmakers this past week in Athens, asking them to use new liberalization in sports to curtail ethical problems related to the industry. The conference at which he spoke in Greece was called together to discuss possible courses of action in preventing and punishing unfair and unethical methods in online sports betting.

"We have this incredible opportunity in the coming weeks or months through the liberalization of betting," Platini said. "Before, betting was state-run, now anybody can organize bets... Today, most illegal forms of betting come from Asia or China."

In response to inquiries regarding the Union's responsibility in such issues, Platini said that it was his responsibility rather to notify authorities that such a need is present. They've no power to prosecute even if the UEFA were able to determine the source of illegal betting activities, be they referees, players, or club leaders.
"UEFA has no jurisdiction, which is why I have said we need a European sports police."

Flushing out his proposal, Platini said he would ask the next session of Congress that the warning system for UEFA tournaments also apply to all domestic games, and compensation will be provided to national associations. Without such changes, Platini dramatically and pessimistically foresees the death of the system.