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UEFA President Michel Platini visits Armenia

UEFA President Michel Platini has visited Armenia, where he met Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) officials and gave inspiration to youngsters at the national teams' training centre.

UEFA President Michel Platini in Armenia ©Hakber

UEFA President Michel Platini has visited Armenia, where he held talks with senior Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) officials and was given a tour of the country's national teams' training centre.

Mr Platini and the UEFA delegation met with FFA president Ruben Hayrapetyan and general secretary Armen Minasyan. He also visited the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the most important Armenian Apostolic Church, in the city of Vagharshapat close to the capital Erevan.

At the national teams' training centre, Mr Platini was introduced to young footballers and, after an inspirational speech, signed a football for them, which will be displayed in their football museum.

"UEFA is helping national associations in Eastern Europe in developing their search for football talents," the UEFA President said. “We are investing a lot in youth football through UEFA's HatTrick assistance programme, and building new pitches. And I hope that the future talents in Armenian football will emerge on these pitches."

Mr Platini also emphasised football's important role as a social force in confronting issues such as discrimination. "We try to deal with problems through football and goodwill," he reflected.

The UEFA President travelled on to Bulgaria to attend Friday's UEFA European Under-17 Championship final between Germany and France in Burgas.

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