Platini: I am afraid for football's future

Michel Platini, Uefa's president, has voiced his fears over the mounting problems facing the sport, from financial issues to match-fixing and player strikes.

He said: "I can see lots of red lights flashing and I am afraid for the future of football which is going pear-shaped in some areas. Perhaps I am being alarmist, but we have to face up to match-fixing, corruption, illegal betting, violence on the pitch, racism and hooliganism."

The start of the Serie A season has been delayed after the Italian players' union failed to reach agreement with the clubs over a deal on players' rights.