UEFA President Michel Platini turned to three negative elements menacing football's well-being. "The first is the issue of match-fixing and betting. We are protecting our sport from this scourge with all the means at our disposal, but, unfortunately, that is sometimes not enough … We are not dealing with petty criminals who are looking to make ends meet.

"Just one fixed match is one match too many, as it strikes at the soul of our sport, the very essence of the game."

Mr Platini turned to discrimination. "Football is characterized by swapping and sharing. It is the team sport par excellence. Football integrates; it does not exclude. Football is inclusive and welcoming; it does not isolate. That is its primary function,” UEFA official website reported.