LE FIX

Platini admits: We rigged France ‘98

MICHEL PLATINI has admitted the draw for the 1998 World Cup finals was fixed. Platini (below) revealed the organising committee did “a little scheming” to make sure winners France (above) and Brazil could not meet until a dream final. He said: “When you are at home, you want

to be able to enjoy things.”

Former UEFA president Platini, a member of FIFA’s top brass, admits that top seed Brazil were deliberately placed in Group A and hosts France put in Group C when the draw as made in Marseille.

As long as the two nations topped their groups, they could not meet until the final in Paris, where France triumphed 3-0.

Platini, currently serving a ban for his part in FIFA corruption, told France Bleu Sport: “We did a little scheming. We are not going to all the hassle of six years organising a World Cup if we cannot indulge in a little scheme or two.

“Do you imagine others weren’t doing the same at other World Cups? A France v Brazil final was the dream for everyone.”