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By Mike Collett
MONACO, Aug 28 (Reuters) - UEFA president Michel Platini, a fierce advocate of eradicating any cheating in soccer, said on Thursday he had dived, simulating a foul, early in his career.
Platini, one of the greatest players of all time and who led France to victory in the 1984 European Championship, told reporters he was determined to make all aspects of soccer as clean as possible.
He said his plan to experiment with five officials at matches in a youth tournament later this season was intended to make it harder for players to simulate a fall, or dive. But he then admitted he had done it himself as a young player.
"It's more than 30 years down the road now so I can tell you," he said with a huge grin on his face.
"It was in a match between my team Nancy and Nantes in 1975 -- and I was happy to do it. I also did it once in another match, but I cannot remember which one. But that was all. Never again.
"Of course we know a lot of footballers deliberately cheat, but we are not in favour of that at UEFA and we do not want to see it.
"In the old days it was easier. But I think that by having two extra officials, four extra pairs of eyes watching the pitch, it will make it that much harder for players to get away with it now."
He also said he was delighted that all of the three clubs he had played for -- Nancy, St Etienne and Juventus were taking part in European competition this season.
"I hope they all do very well," he joked. "But as the president of UEFA I have to remain totally neutral."
