Conflict in Ukraine: Michel Platini against a boycott of competitions in Russia

"It's always better to go and explain what you think is good rather than boycott," said Michel Platini, president of UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) to the U.S. news channel, CNN, on 07/03/2014, about the boycott by American, British, French, Norwegian, Dutch and Swedish officials at the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi (Russia) on the same day (17:00 CET).

This decision of the European and American governments was in response to the Russian military presence in Ukraine and diplomatic tensions that have resulted. Michel Platini was reminded of the debates that surrounded the potential boycott of the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, then subjected to the military dictatorship of General Videla: "I think it's better to explain that you are not happy. I thought it was better to go and explain that we were not happy with what was happening in Argentina. It could be the same in Russia," said the UEFA president, who participated as a player at the 1978 World Cup.

After the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia will host the 2018…