Former UEFA President Michel Platini admits to using “a little trickery” to ensure France didn’t meet Brazil until the final of the 1998 World Cup.
The former Juventus midfielder was the joint head of the organising committee for the tournament, which was hosted in France.
Les Bleus went on to win it, beating Italy in the quarter-finals, but today it has been revealed that the draw was rigged so they couldn’t face Brazil before the final, which they won 3-0 against the Selecao.
Former UEFA President Michel Platini admits to using “a little trickery” to ensure France didn’t meet Brazil until the final of the 1998 World Cup.
The former Juventus midfielder was the joint head of the organising committee for the tournament, which was hosted in France.
Les Bleus went on to win it, beating Italy in the quarter-finals, but today it has been revealed that the draw was rigged so they couldn’t face Brazil before the final, which they won 3-0 against the Selecao.
“When we organised the schedule, we used a little trickery,” Platini admitted, speaking to France Bleu.
“If we finished top of our group and Brazil finished top of theirs, we couldn’t meet before the final.
“When you’re at home you can benefit from these things. We didn’t go through the hassle of organising a World Cup for six years to not engage in a little trickery.
“Do you think the others didn’t do it for their World Cups? Do you think so? France-Brazil in the World Cup final, it was everyone’s dream.
“It wasn’t difficult, if France are in Group A and Brazil are in… Group L, Group F, I don’t know… if they both finish first they can’t meet… that’s it, it’s simple.”