French legend and ex-head of Uefa says the draw for the 1998 World Cup held in France was rigged to ensure a dream final.

According to reports, Platini has admitted in a French radio interview that he was involved in a plot to ensure the 1998 hosts could not meet favourites Brazil until the last round.

The banned former Uefa boss, who was the co-president of the Organising Committee for the tournament pressed for a change in the criteria of the draw so that the two teams will not meet in the early stages.

Platini confessed: “When we organised the calendar, we did a little trickery.

“We did not work until we were bored for six years to organise the World Cup not to do some little shenanigans.

“When you are at home, you want to be able to enjoy things.

“You think the others do not do it for their World Cups? France against Brazil in the final, that was the dream of everyone.”

Both sides did win their group and kept their scheduled date in the Stade de France, and the hosts won 3-0, with two goals from Zinedine Zidane and the third scored by Emmanuel Petit.