(CNN) -- Russia's stand off with Ukraine might be spilling over into the sporting arena with the idea floated for Fabio Capello's team to be barred from contesting June's World Cup, but the UEFA president believes this would be a travesty for the players who worked so hard to qualify for the finals in Brazil. Ukrainian officials and Western diplomats accuse Russia of sending thousands of troops into the Crimea region in the past week -- a claim Russia has denied. Earlier this week, an unnamed European Union official was reported to have told a BBC journalist that his organization may try to expel Russia from the 2014 finals.
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Michel Platini dismisses calls to bar Russia from participating at World Cup in Brazil
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UEFA President also advises against sporting boycotts as Ukrainians ponder Sochi protest
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Ukrainian delegation set to reveal whether it will boycott or not on Friday
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Platini says he played at 1978 World Cup despite misgivings about situation in Argentina
"I think it's better to explain that you are not happy, which is the same opinion I had in 1978 when I was in @placeholder for the World Cup," added the 58-year-old.