Constructive talks in Croatia

UEFA president Michel Platini has visited Croatia where he held talks with government officials and senior representatives of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS).

Mr Platini and UEFA deputy general secretary Theodore Theodoridis met the Croatian sports minister Radovan Fuchs and held discussions with HNS president Vlatko Marković and general secretary Zorislav Srebrić.

"I am very happy to be in Croatia again," said Mr Platini, whose fruitful talks with Mr Fuchs saw the UEFA president congratulate Croatia on its positive results not only in football, but also in other sports.

The discussions with the HNS centred on developments in Croatian and European football, and the relationship between UEFA and the national associations, underpinned by the HatTrick assistance programme on behalf of UEFA's 53 member associations.

Meeting the press, Mr Platini outlined the UEFA financial fair play initiative and welcomed the fact that Europe's major clubs were beginning to take positive steps in this direction. "UEFA wants clubs to start to spend the amount of money they have and not get into debt," he said. "We want clubs to do business without running up losses. I am glad that major clubs are accepting this initiative."

"The visit of Mr Platini and Mr Theodoridis is an acknowledgement for Croatian football," said Mr Marković. "It has provided an opportunity to talk with them about important matters in the game, both in Croatia and in Europe. It is very pleasing to say that both sides also evaluated the meeting with sports minister Radovan Fuchs as being very positive and successful. Our talks were constructive."

On Tuesday, Mr Platini visited Albania where he attended the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Football Association of Albania (FShF) and met the country's president Bamir Topi and prime minister Sali Berisha.