UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin is asked how Yonghong Li could ever have been allowed to buy Milan – “we all knew there was a problem…”
The Chinese businessman bought the Rossoneri from Silvio Berlusconi in April 2017, but was forced out by Elliott Management just over a year later.
His time in charge saw reckless spending and ludicrous business plans, and Diavolo were initially thrown out of the Europa League for Financial Fair Play.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin is asked how Yonghong Li could ever have been allowed to buy Milan – “we all knew there was a problem…”
The Chinese businessman bought the Rossoneri from Silvio Berlusconi in April 2017, but was forced out by Elliott Management just over a year later.
His time in charge saw reckless spending and ludicrous business plans, and Diavolo were initially thrown out of the Europa League for Financial Fair Play.
That was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but directors were in Nyon today to discuss a settlement agreement.
“I have already replied in the past, there are independent authorities that are investigating and I do not want to interfere,” Ceferin replied when asked about how Li could have taken over the club.
“I think there must have been something politcal, but I would not go into the specific problem.
“We all knew there was a problem but it wasn’t for me to go in-depth, otherwise there’d be no need for independent authorities.” Ceferin also discussed the possibility of European clubs playing league matches abroad.
“Legally, the path is clear. I’m not going to speak about specific cases like La Liga, but I’ll give you an example.
“If Juventus want to play against Chievo in Shanghai, the first need the OK from the FIGC, then UEFA, the AFC and then the Chinese FA.
“It would be enough to notify FIFA, but for me the opinion of the national football associations is very important, the last word will be up to them.”
There has been some conflict between UEFA and FIFA, with the latter believed to be keen to set up a Club World Cup involving many top European sides.
“We don’t have to be united against FIFA, but we believe in the European model.
“I can have a good relationship with anyone in the sporting world, but I have not been elected to make friends: I need to drive European football.
“For me it goes beyond competitions that we and FIFA don’t agree on, the important thing is that the fans understand that the time of secrets and discussions in dark rooms is over.
“It’s over, in European football at least. We can’t tell you everything today because we’re still discussing it, but we want to share our ideas with you.”