ONE of the legacies left behind by Michel Platini, the former chief of European football's governing body UEFA, was his successful push for this year's European Football Championship to feature a record 24 teams.

That is eight more than the previous tournament in 2012, and the move adds another week and 20 more matches to this year's Euro 2016 schedule, taking the total number of fixtures to 51.

Platini's decision, naturally, sparked much debate. In one camp, there were those who felt it was reasonable and the expansion would more accurately reflect the sport's massive growth and influence in Europe over the years.