Michel Platini today tried to claim some of the success for Euro 2012 by insisting that his system of five referees encouraged attacking football.

The UEFA president believes the presence of officials behind each of the goals protected attackers from cynical defending and thus led to more goals.

Platini said: “The principal innovation on the pitch compared to previous Euros and the system of five referees was a real plus in terms of the football that was played. It helped get rid of simulation in the area and also helped significantly reduce shirt‑pulling during set-pieces.

“In the end, there were more goals and, even more significantly, more headed goals in this Euro than in other big international competitions. That’s no coincidence.

“The system of five referees acts as a deterrent and the quality of football benefits from that.”

The statistics, though, do not back up Platini’s claim with 76 goals in this tournament being one down on last time and the second fewest since the Euros grew to a 16‑team competition at Euro 96.

The next finals in France in 2016 will be expanded by another eight teams, sparking fears that the quality of the football will be diluted.

However, Platini said: “This will show everyone that Europe does have 24 teams with the necessary technical level to participate in the final phase of a competition like this. I’m sure of it.”