FIFA president Sepp Blatter has warned that any boycotts of the World Cups in Russia and Qatar will not work.
Both tournament hosts have been dogged by allegations of corruption in the bidding process, but speaking at the UEFA congress in Vienna today Blatter addressed politicians who've called for direct action head-on.
"I have to say how that football shall be united," said the 79-year-old Swiss. "Sport shall be united when it comes to boycotts, because boycotts has never given any results."
Platini warns football at risk of returning to age "where hooligans + all manner of fanatics called the shots in certain European stadiums"
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) March 24, 2015
The French great, who witnessed the Heysel Stadium tragedy in 1985 while playing for Juventus against Liverpool, says increasing incidents of violence, and extreme views at club and international matches, need to be tackled with tougher stadium bans and the creation of a European sport police.
Of his own position, Platini was unopposed and extends a presidential reign which started in 2007.
The 59-year-old former Saint-Etienne star also retains his FIFA vice presidency for another four years.
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