UEFA, agents clash over third-party ownership

"Some have dismissed this system as modern slavery which denies players the freedom to make critical decision about their future and careers," Platini told the conference. "I would not go to that length. But I sincerely believe that such a system poses unnecessary risks to football by creating improper links between agents, financial speculators and clubs that could ultimately effect the fairness of competition while promoting abuses such of money laundering which can only harm the integrity of football. England and France have banned this system and I'm in favor that Europe does like wise."

Atletico Madrid, in many ways, demonstrates the benefits of the third party ownership, as it used the system to bring Falcao to the club. The striker the club win the Europa title last season and his 17 goals this season have helped it keep pace with Barcelona at the top of the Spanish standings.

The club's chairman Miguel Angel Gil Marin appears conflicted over efforts to ban the practice. He agreed with Platini that outside investors shouldn't be allowed to own a player — Falcao's contract is owned 100 percent by Atletico — but he insisted the club has benefited from tapping the money of outside investors.

"Atletico wants to compete against the 16 clubs in Europe but doesn't have the same budget," he said. "I don't have the same budget but I win. The only way to reach it is to look for some help but we don't share the economic rights with anyone. Having an agreement with third parties, funds or banks, it's normal like other companies in any sector ... It's fair, normal and it's legal."