Michel Platini has revealed that despite UEFA's clashes with the Premier League he is big fan of English football.
Platini, re-elected for four more years as UEFA president on Tuesday, has clashed with the Premier League on a number of issues but says relations are now "not so bad" and that he has a good rapport with new FA chairman David Bernstein.
In the past, Platini has criticised the number of foreign players and owners, and he forcefully opposed the proposals for the '39th game' to be played abroad. In return, the Premier League told him in 2007 to "mind his own business".
In an interview, Platini said: "I love the Premier League... no, I love the football of the Premier League and the fans of the Premier League.
"Of course we have had differences, because the Premier League want to have everything, all the time and we at UEFA don't always agree but it's not so bad.
"We have a close rapport with the FA and Dave Richards, who is chairman of the Premier League, is on our strategy committee. I also have a good rapport with David Bernstein."
The next big difference of opinion could come with UEFA's proposals for changes to the international calendar from 2014, which are being put together by the European governing body's general secretary Gianni Infantino.
Platini said he does not know what the proposals will be but added: "It could be an evolution or a revolution, we don't know."
The UEFA president has long favoured playing more football in the summer months but insists that is a personal opinion rather than one that will be taken up by Infantino.
"It would be nice to play more in the summer but that's my personal feeling, not as president of UEFA," he added.
"We can think of what should be the ideal. It is because the British decided to play football and rugby in winter and cricket in the summer when the playing fields are beautiful and when it is hot.
"Because of you we play in the snow and we play in the rain!
"But I don't know what will be the general secretary's proposal to FIFA."
Platini's backing is key to Sepp Blatter and Mohamed Bin Hammam as they contest the FIFA presidency, and the likelihood of him standing himself in 2015 means many leaders of UEFA associations believe he will back Blatter for another four years.
He insists however he is close to both men and admits that UEFA's role could be decisive.
"I am close with Mr Blatter and I am close with Mr Bin Hammam - don't forget we were the three together that elected Mr Blatter in 1998, with Bin Hammam and myself.
"We have 53 votes in UEFA and if they follow the recommendation of the president it could make the difference."
Asked about his own intentions for the FIFA presidency in 2015, and about Blatter's announcement he will step down then if re-elected, Platini replied: "It's a good thing for him, I expected it because he will be 79 and it's time to stop.
"Let me first think about my re-election and then we will have time to think about this [FIFA]."
Platini added that UEFA will not hesitate to exclude from European competition any club who fails to meet the financial fair play rules from 2014 onwards, no matter how big the club.
He said: "In 1992 there was the national direction for financial control in France and they put Bordeaux and Marseille in the second division and it was good for them, not immediately but when they came back.
"UEFA will not hesitate to take action against any club - and they know that."
