National disaster

MICHEL PLATINI MAY BE a fan of many things in Barbados, but the National Stadium isn’t one of them.
In his first visit back to Barbados in 29 years, Platini, one of the greatest footballers of all time, has given the thumbs down to the home of football on the island after touring the site yesterday during his brief one-day stay.
Although admitting he had played on worse pitches during a decorated 15-year ingternational career for France, Platini, president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), told the media that the Waterford venue was very much outdated.
“Compared to Wembley it is a disaster, but compared to others it is better. I have played on worse pitches, but I [have also] played on better pitches . . . but I think you have to be better than this.