BELGIUM: FOOTBALL / SOCCER UEFA chief Michel Platini said he will meet EU officials to discuss actions to tackle hooliganism and racism

Manchester United director Charlton and World Cup-winning Italy coach Lippi joined Platini and Barroso in Brussels on the eve of Tuesday's (March 13) match at Old Trafford celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which marked the creation of the European Union and the 50th anniversary of United's participation in UEFA's European club competition. The Europe XI squad for the match currently includes Olivier Kahn, Grégory Coupet, Iker Casillas, Paolo Maldini, Jamie Carragher, Eric Abidal, Lilan Thuram, Carles Puyol, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Grosso, Gianluca Zambrotta, Steven Gerrard, Juninho Pernambucano, Florent Malouda, Luis Miguel, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Alessandro Mancini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson. Former England captain David Beckham also returns to Manchester as part of the EU team selected by Lippi and the side also includes Ronaldinho and Steven Gerrard. At a news conference at the European Commission on Monday, Platini said he would seek the EU's help in fighting hooliganism and racism. "We want, as Mr Barroso has said, to fight against all the attacks which endanger the sport such as violence, racism, corruption, illegal betting, doping, there are many. It's a hard job, a beautiful job. We will work together. And we have also mentioned the possibility of launching a European prize for Fair Play, in collaboration with UEFA" A week previously, Platini called for the creation of an international police force to help to tackle hooliganism as well as corruption and betting scandals. In the previous month, authorities in France, Germany, Spain and non-EU country Serbia have had to deal with incidents of soccer-related violence. "I have been in football for 40 years, it's been 40 years in which football has been dealing with problems which it can't solve, it's been 40 years in which we have had problems with doping, corruption, violence etc. It's been 40 years in which we have not had legal means at our disposal to deal with them. National associations, clubs, sports people can't do it and I had the idea, well I suggested this idea and I am contacting other organisations to see if this idea makes sense at the same level as any economic issue or internet police watching over things, that there would be police or at least a surveillance organisation for sports," said Platini. Charlton, who won the World Cup with England in 1966, said it would be a competitive game, especially given Manchester coach Sir Alex Ferguson's determination. "All I would say about Alex Ferguson is if he sends a team onto the field its a team he sends out to win," Charlton said. Italian World Cup winner Marcello Lippi said he was sorry former French star Zinedine Zidane would not be part of the team for Tuesday's game. Zidane was sent off in the World Cup final won by Italy for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi -- who will be in the Europe squad. Lippi said he did not consider his decision to turn down the offer as a personal snub. "It's not true that I contacted (Zinedine) Zidane because UEFA did that. The answer arrived later, it was a negative answer, so I didn't speak to Zidane at all. Even if I would have liked Zidane to be part of the team," said Lippi. Regarding Manchester United's 50 years in European competition, Charlton commented: "As far as being together in Europe, I think what we are doing today is our contribution just at the present time." At Monday's meeting, Platini was also expected to talk to Barroso about the overall governance of sport and in particular soccer. The Commission is expected to produce proposals on transfers, finance and TV rights in the coming months. UEFA and world soccer's governing body FIFA have in the past resisted any interference by politicians in the running of the game. Tuesday's kick-off at Old Trafford will be at 8pm local time (1900gmt) and will be televised live in the UK by the BBC. Charlton said the 72,000 capacity stadium was sold out.

ITN Source | March 13, 2007

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