What was said

Expanded European Championship will retain quality, claims Platini

The next European Championship will not suffer a drop in quality when it expands to 24 teams in 2016 from the current 16-team format, UEFA president Michael Platini said on Monday.

"Twenty-four is OK ... I think it's OK. Eight good teams to add. It's not a problem of quality," Platini said on Monday, looking ahead to France 2016 after giving a glowing assessment of the ongoing tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Euro 2012 has provided plenty of goals and entertainment in the 22 matches to date and approaching the end of the group stage is yet to feature a goal-less draw.

Fears have been raised that adding eight teams to the tournament would see middle and lower-ranked sides qualifying and resorting to overly defensive tactics, looking to avoid humiliating defeats at the hands of the major European powers.

"We can have eight more teams as good as the rest and also have a fantastic round of 16," Platini said.

"It's very important for the (additional) countries that qualify. It is good for the national associations and their development. The sponsors are present because they are proud to participate."

Reuters

(China Daily 06/20/2012 page24)