Uefa president Michel Platini has leapt to the defence of the Europa League following a derisory comment from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Premier League champions were eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of Basel, with their third-place group finish seeing them playing Europa League football in the new year.
Sir Alex described participation in the competition as a “penalty” for the club that have reached three Champions League finals in the last four years.
But Platini has hit back, telling Eurosport: “The world does not revolve around England. I like England a lot, its football is fantastic, its supporters are wonderful but you shouldn’t criticise the Europa League just because you’ve played in three Champions League finals.
“The Europa League is a brilliant competition, it’s amazing. I know Mr Ferguson would have preferred to be in the Champions League but so would many clubs who don’t have that possibility.”
After the defeat on Wednesday, Sir Alex told reporters: “It is a loss because it [the Champions League] is the best tournament in the world. It is a marvellous tournament.
“Now we are in a competition I have never been in with Manchester United. It does mean Sundays right through and Thursday-Sunday matches. That has to be dealt with. That is our penalty for not qualifying tonight.”