UEFA President Michel Platini has emphasized the need to protect football and its values and has welcomed positive progress in the European game, while stressing UEFA's duty to tackle those negative elements that endanger the sport's overall well-being, UEFA.com reports.
In his address to the XXXVII Ordinary UEFA Congress in London, Mr Platini also praised Europe's national associations for their crucial contribution in nurturing the European game. "I think we can say that we are a confederation which is moving forwards at a good pace, and which is moving in the right direction," he said.
Platini expressed his pleasure at UEFA's presence this week in London – "A city that lives and breathes football, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A country – England – whose heart beats for football… to which we owe this beautiful game that excites us so much.
"It was therefore only right that, in honor of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of The FA, the world's oldest football association, football's international bodies should come to pay tribute to you."
The UEFA President said that European football was flourishing in many ways. "The quality of the football is exceptional – better than ever – and the results are following close behind," he stated.
"Throughout Europe, the game is progressing. From Reykjavik to Valletta, football is improving day by day. The development programmes that [associations] are putting in place are bearing fruit. Your role is to allow as many children in your countries as possible to play football in the best possible conditions."
