French Legend Michel Platini says the 1998 World Cup draw was ‘FIXED’

Platini is serving a ban till the end of 2023.

French Legend Michel Platini says the 1998 World Cup draw was ‘FIXED’

Michel Platini speaks about the 1998 World Cup (Via FIFA & The New York Times)

Ballon d’Or winner Michel Platini has come forward to reveal shocking information regarding the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The former French International revealed that the World Cup draw for the 1998 World Cup in France was ‘Fixed’ and premeditated so that a particular big-name clash could happen.

Speaking at a testimony regarding a £1.35 million payment from former FIFA Chairman Sepp Blatter, Platini unveiled the details. He said that he was part of an ‘arrangement’ that ensured that hosts France and one of the frontrunners Brazil would not play each other until they met in the final. Further, he added that the committee in charge of fixtures did a bit of ‘trickery’ in organizing the match calendar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnAcuFcWeh0&pp=ygUJZmlmYSAxOTk4

Platini revealed that after being chosen as co-president of the World Cup organizing Committee in 1992, he made changes in the rules which allowed him to separate the 2 sides (Brazil and France) until the Final. Knowing very well that the plan would only work if both sides finished first in their respective groups. During the draw, both France and Brazil were seeded in the first 2 groups, by virtue of being the hosts and current title holders.

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Platini said, “We did not work until we were bored for six years to organize the World Cup not to do some little shenanigans. Such a fixture is the dream of everyone.” The 68-year-old served as UEFA President thrice. He was elected in 2007 and then re-elected in 2011 and 2015. After being convicted of corruption, UEFA banned the Frenchman from all football-related activity until 2023.

Related: La Liga president Javier Tebas reportedly gave FALSE evidence against FC Barcelona in Negreira Case

Mbappe emerges as a new leader in the dressing room: Reports

Kylian Mbappe for France
Kylian Mbappe for France (Via New York Post)

According to reports in France, Kylian Mbappe has emerged as the new leader in the French National team dressing room. Unlike the conventional captains, Mbappe still keeps a lot of his ‘talking’ on the pitch. Leading by action rather than through words. After serving Captain Hugo Lloris and Raphael Varane hung up their boots for Le Blues post-World Cup, Mbappe’s appointment as captain has gone particularly well. The French National team is on a 5-game winning streak after the World Cup final loss to Argentina.

Even though the 24-year-old is yet to be spotted giving lengthy and voracious team talks the likes of Messi and Ronaldo deliver, he has started to give short speeches individually or in groups before the game, per reports. Mbappe considers Vice Captain Antoine Griezmann and Bayern Munich defender Lucas Hernandez strong allies in the dressing room. Adrien Rabiot and Kingsley Coman are also in support of Mbappe being in charge as per reports.

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