Martin Samuel: Going Hungary, despite feasting at the top table

The first Hungarian team to reach the group stages of the Champions League in 14 years visit Anfield on Wednesday night. How many will follow is another matter. In a domestic league currently ranked the 34th strongest in Europe, with the attendant financial paucity implied, one club, Debrecen VCS, are to receive a payment from UEFA in the region of £12million. Michel Platini, president of UEFA, has successfully expanded the reach of the Champions League competition to some of the smaller countries in Europe this season but at what price? As often happens with his organisation, his plan does not seem to have been thought through.

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