Euro 2012 – Ukraine and Poland

LONDON: Poland remains a host of soccer’s 2012 European Championship. But for how much longer?

Co-host with Ukraine, Poland is staggering from one crisis to another, from construction delays to corruption, from a national federation suspension to possible forfeiture of World Cup qualifying matches.

Yet, European soccer’s governing body is still giving the nation one more chance to stage its biggest competition.

“There is no doubt that our trust has been weakened in Poland’s capacity to organize the Euro,” UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said Monday. “Now it’s up to them to behave in a way that will make us again confident that everything can go well.”

That means the championship is still heading for a nation where soccer is in disarray and the running of the federation is now being monitored by the world governing body.

Italy, surprisingly beaten by Poland and Ukraine in the ballot to stage the 2012 Euros, would be happy to take over if either Poland or Ukraine, of both, had the competition taken away. So would Germany, well equipped to stage the event after the 2006 World Cup, with no fears about being ready on time and with comparative harmony off the field.

But UEFA gave both Poland and Ukraine another chance to prove they could host Euro 2012 despite strong concerns they won’t build stadiums, transportation links and hotels on time.

The two nations can’t afford any more delays or slips.

“We were promised new airports and we will not have new airports,” UEFA president Michel Platini said 10 days ago. “We were promised new roads and we are still waiting. Warsaw and Kiev are the key issues. We cannot organize a European competition without the capital city.”

Three days after Platini’s news conference, the Polish government suspended the national soccer federation for failure to confront corruption in the league.

Authorities have charged more than 100 people — including federation members, coaches, referees, players and club officials — with rigging matches in the top domestic leagues and 29 clubs have been implicated.

That doesn’t sounds like the ideal place to host a European Championship, and the government decided to take action by suspending the federation. But that would have led to sanctions by FIFA. Poland, leading its World Cup qualifying group, would have forfeited its next two games against two of its biggest rivals, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

When the federation reached a last-minute deal with the government Monday, Poland avoided losing those six points and also held on to hosting the Euros.

“If tomorrow is realized what is promised today, then for us it is OK,” FIFA president Sepp Blatter said. “It is good. I’m relaxed about this decision and also is Michel Platini.”

The rest of soccer might not take such a relaxed view.

This summer’s Euros were co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria and went smoothly with no delays or problems with transportation and housing. Even though neither country stood much chance of winning the title each made a great effort to stage the event almost flawlessly.

The nations that will be among the major contenders for the next championship will demand the same conditions for 2012. Poland and Ukraine have a lot to do.

Amid fears the Euro 2012 finals were in jeopardy, UEFA has granted tentative approval for Poland and Ukraine to maintain hosting rights for what is one of world soccer’s most important events.

Despite the backing, UEFA warned the joint hosts to speed up their preparations, insisting the hosting deal could still be annulled, sources from European soccer’s governing body said Friday.

Poland and Ukraine were given the reprieve after UEFA’s executive committee met in Bordeaux to discuss a progress report on preparations for the tournament.

“The executive committee reconfirmed UEFA’s commitment to organize Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine,” UEFA president Michel Platini told a news conference in Bordeaux. “At the same time, the committee stressed a number of conditions must be met in order to bring forward the whole project.”

Platini said the co-hosts “promised” that stadiums in Kiev and Warsaw would be ready in time.

Poland football chief doubts Poland’s readiness

Inadequate stadiums, problems with transport systems and not enough hotel beds had given rise to serious concerns and pushed UEFA into a corner.

Several contingency plans had been touted prior to Friday’s meeting, such as using Germany as a third, supporting host, or — as the president of the Polish soccer association, Michal Listkiewicz, suggested — that Poland and Ukraine’s 2012 hosting rights be rescinded in favor of another country, and that the two nations instead plan to host the tournament in 2016.

Listkiewicz seems far from convinced his country will be ready in four years time. The biggest problem: poor infrastructure and terrible traffic, he said.

“If the European Championships took place in 2016, we would have no problems about being ready then,” Listkiewicz told Die Zeit Online, the Internet platform of the weekly newspaper.

“But realistically we are looking at having no good roads in time for 2012,” he said. “From Gdansk (in Poland) to Donetsk (in the Ukraine) is more than 1,500 kilometers (930 miles). This is not like in Austria and Switzerland where everything lies close together.”

Moreover, he cast doubt on whether Poland’s partners in Ukraine will be up to the job.

“If things don’t go well now, and UEFA has another suggestion, then that would be in order,” he said.

2016 Euro expansion

Also to come from the Bordeaux meeting was an announcement that as of 2016, the European championship finals would be played in an expanded format, seeing 24 teams participate instead of the current 16. The decision was reached unanimously by the 13-man committee.

The expansion would also see Euro 2016 become a 51-match tournament — rather than the current 31-match format — played over four weeks rather than the current three.

Source:dw-world.de

UEFA has threatened to take Euro 2012 away from co-hosts Poland if it fails to reinstate its Football Association.

FIFA has already warned Poland it faces forfeiting upcoming World Cup qualifiers if it does not reinstate its FA by Monday.

UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said: “The rules are clear. We offered Euro 2012 to the FA, not the government.

“So if the FA are not in place or suspended then they are not in a position to host the tournament.”

Poland’s arbitration tribunal suspended the FA (PZPN) and named an administrator on Monday after failing to address corruption issues.

But FIFA and UEFA have refused to recognise the administrator appointed to run the country’s FA.

FIFA said it would ignore any correspondence from the newly installed board as the world governing body’s statutes forbid government intervention in football affairs.

And Gaillard added: “We are standing firm with FIFA. Our patience has limits and we are very close to the limit.

“If the FA is not reinstated by Monday’s deadline then we will have serious discussions about the future of Euro 2012 immediately. We will not wait any longer.”

Last week both Poland and Ukraine were given a reprieve after a report criticised their lack of progress in preparing to hold Euro 2012.

“We gave Poland another chance and then there was this coup on Monday. It is very annoying,” Gaillard said.

“We have done everything we can for Poland and Ukraine. We have bent over backwards to help them and this makes us very unhappy.”

Poland could be handed automatic 3-0 defeats in upcoming qualifiers against Czech Republic and Slovakia.

A FIFA statement said further action would be considered when the executive committee meets in Zurich on October 23 and 24, with UEFA’s emergency panel due to meet around the same time.

Poland were threatened with being thrown out of qualifying for Euro 2008 when the PZPN was suspended in January 2007.

Addressing a session of the Coordinating Council to prepare and host Euro-2012 Apr. 22, president of the Ukrainian Football Federation Grigory Surkis said he is prepared to cooperate with anybody, ranging from mayors of host cities to local government officials that have a role in preparing for Euro-2012 finals in Ukraine. His desperation can be explained by the fact that experts say that none of Ukraine’s Euro-2012 infrastructure meets UEFA standards.

Down follows the text of G. Surkis’ address:

“On Apr. 18, the date of UEFA decision to grant Poland and Ukraine the right to host Euro-2012, UEFA monitoring committee had its session. The issue was not to drop Poland and Ukraine off the list of host countries. None of UEFA officials has ever raised the issue.

Instead, members of the monitoring committee listened to the reports by experts who had examined the condition of stadiums and infrastructure in the host cities. Their reports were perfectly objective.

Let me quote some facts given in their reports.

Stadiums

The next 3 to 6 months will be very critical for preparation of stadiums. Only if all the deadlines are met on time can we say that the stadiums will be ready by Euro-2012. In case of a slowdown in projects implementation for any domestic or outside reasons, the stadiums will not be completed in time. So far, none of the stadiums is fit to meet UEFA standards.

Airports

UEFA experts have not noticed any substantial progress made in this area. At present, none of the airports can handle the passenger flow set by UEFA. The possibility to use alternative and stand-by airports to handle the traffic are being examined. All Ukrainian airports have the highest risk level – red.

Accommodation

Except for Warsaw and Krakow, other host cities do not meet UEFA demands for accommodation of fans, even considering the 2-hour commuting level to which UEFA agreed. Four cities, Gdansk, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Kharkiv, do not meet UEFA standards set for the time of handing in applications to host Euro-2012.

Transportation

According to UEFA experts, no significant changes had occurred since the initial report was made. Meanwhile, all host cities proposed ambitious projects to expand their transportation facilities.

Mr. President, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that these skeptical assessments have been made by experts in the run-up to May 5, the time when Ukraine is to submit to UEFA its comprehensive action plan outlining specified infrastructure elements with the sources of funding, dates of commissioning and persons responsible.

Incidentally, in line with the cabinet resolution of Feb. 23, all central and local executive agencies as well as local governments involved had to update their action plans and harmonize them with the country’s master action plan, specifying preparation of stadiums, hotels, hospitals, airports.

Unfortunately, this has not been done. We are faced with failures to meet UEFA deadlines. We will hardly be able to catch up with UEFA deadlines in 2008. That is why UEFA has expressed its grave concern and issued a stern warning to Poland and Ukraine, giving 4-6 months to rectify the situation. This term expires on June 27. On this day, UEFA monitoring committee will sit, followed by a session of UEFA executive board session the next day.

If nothing is changed, I do not dare to predict UEFA reaction. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials continue to disregard their duties and presidential decrees and government resolutions. Corrupt officials use the present snafu to line their pockets by taking investors by the throat. They do not care about the attractive investment climate and transparency crucial for such a giant project.

The Ukrainian parliament is bogged down in endless political wrangling, delaying the approval of important laws to implement the Euro-2012 commitments of Ukraine. Corrupt local officials are also fishing in murky waters blocking preparations for the football tournament.

I have never expected that preparations for Euro-2012 will be clouded by such grave problems. The project puts up a lot of challenges for Ukraine, and we are fully responsible for meeting them. Can we do this? It is not a rhetorical question. This question is also asked by UEFA president Michel Platini, who has plans to come to Ukraine in the wake of Euro-2008 tournament. His motives are very strong for holding Euro-2012 in Ukraine and Poland. Remember what he said when UEFA was discussing the site for Euro-2012,”I want Eastern Europe to host our tournament in 2012.”

I would like very much to see that our deeds match these plans of Platini”.

Source:zik.com.ua

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NYON, Switzerland: European soccer’s ruling body says the Polish government is “playing with fire” by fighting for control of the national soccer federation. Poland and Ukraine are the hosts of 2012 European Championship.

UEFA says Poland’s international credibility is at stake. The Polish federation is already behind schedule in organizing the tournament. Its elected officials were suspended Monday and the government refuses to reinstate them despite demands by UEFA and FIFA.

UEFA warned Poland last week it risks being stripped of the 2012 tournament unless soccer and government officials work well together.

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An expert delegation comprised Claudio Negroni, Mariona Ragus, Sandra Celant, Eurosport representatives, FFU First Vice President, Executive Director Oleksandr Bandurko.

The UEFA experts inspected football field quality, compliance of team locker-rooms with UEFA requirements and terms of the completion of the Olympic SC construction. The facility reconstruction, which will be used as a training base for the teams of the European Juniors Championship 2009 final and Euro 2012, is planned to be completed next year.

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By Martyn Ziegler
Uefa yesterday warned the Polish government that the suspension of the country’s Football Association could threaten their hosting of Euro 2012. The Polish Football Association was suspended on Sunday by the sports ministry for allegedly failing to address corruption, and the government has appointed an administrator to run the organisation.

But both Uefa, football’s European governing body, and Fifa, the world body, say that they will not recognise the administrator because both take a firm line that there should be no political interference in national associations.

William Gaillard, the Uefa communications director and special adviser to president Michel Platini, warned that if the situation was not dealt with it could affect preparations for Euro 2012, which Poland is hosting jointly with Ukraine.

“We are hoping we will be solving the problems before the end of October so it will not affect 2012,” Gaillard said. “But if the problem is not solved and the Polish FA will not have ability to operate then it’s a different ball game, and that opens all kinds of question marks around Euro 2012.

“The European Championships are administrated through the Polish and Ukrainian FAs, not their governments. If there is no legitimate Polish FA then we will not have a Euro in Poland – we are a long way from that situation but that is what they must face.”

Uefa issued a warning to Poland and Ukraine only last Friday that they must speed up their preparations and meet several conditions.

Gaillard said: “Look back at Friday where there were a number of conditions laid down – if they do not exist then it becomes complicated.” Gaillard said that Uefa and Fifa were not impressed by the Polish government’s claims of corruption within the sport, and would not meet the administrator Robert Zawlocki.

“The Polish FA were supposed to have elections on 31 October and so a democratic process has been interrupted,” Gaillard said. “These sorts of accusations have been made and withdrawn in the past.”

“We only recognise Michal Listkiewicz, the chairman of the Polish FA, we don’t know this other guy and we are not planning to meet him or communicate with him.” Fifa and Uefa will work together to decide on the next steps and the matter will be brought up at the next Fifa executive committee meeting in Zurich on 23 and 24 October.

Miroslaw Drzewiecki, Poland’s sports minister, has accused the Polish FA of using Euro 2012 as a shield to hide behind and escape responsibility for breaking the law. He said: “They wanted to use Euro 2012 as a shield to protect themselves but Euro 2012 is four years away and we will prepare everything on time.”

Fifa warned Poland last year when Tomasz Lipiec, Drzewiecki’s predecessor, appointed a commissioner as head of the FA in an anti-corruption drive. “I don’t fear this situation will repeat itself. [The previous] minister Lipiec named his own commissioner and I have filed a motion to the arbitration tribunal,” Drzewiecki said.

Source:independent.co.uk

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The Scottish Football Association have stated their keenness to fill Poland’s boots as hosts of Euro 2012 if they are stripped of their duty.

Poland have been warned by Uefa over their government’s interference with the country’s FA, with the ignominy of losing the tournament a real possibility should that situation fail to change sufficiently.

On Monday, the Polish FA was suspended for its alleged failure to acknowledge and tackle corruption, and an administrator has been appointed to run the body by the government.

However, that remedy is not enough to appease Uefa and Fifa, who say they will not recognise the administrator. Both governing bodies have taken a hardline stance on political dalliance in national associations, and this latest episode comes only a week after Poland and prospective co-hosts Ukraine were told to hurry along their preparations for the tournament.

The most recent developments have pricked the attention of The SFA, who are keeping close tabs on how things pan out.

“Our position is straightforward,” said SFA chief executive Gordon Smith in The Scotsman.

“If, in the event of it being taken away from Poland and Ukraine, it was opened to bids, then we would seek to establish if a bid from us would be considered by Uefa.

“If the response was positive then we would undertake a feasibility study along with the Scottish government to decide if we would bid.”

Fifa and Uefa will now mull over their options, with the issue being brought up for a decision at the next Fifa executive committee meeting in Zurich on October 23 and 24.

“We are hoping we will be solving the problems before the end of October so it will not affect 2012,” Uefa communications director William Gaillard told PA Sport.

“But if the problem is not solved and the Polish FA will not have ability to operate then it’s a different ball game, and that opens all kinds of question marks around Euro 2012.

“The European Championships are administrated through the Polish and Ukrainian FAs, not their governments.

“If there is no legitimate Polish FA then we will not have a Euro in Poland.”

Source:setantasports.com

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By Stephen Halliday
THE Scottish Football Association has not yet ruled out a solo bid to host the European Championship finals in 2012 if the increasing uncertainty over the tournament culminates in Uefa taking it away from Poland and Ukraine.
Fresh doubts over the capability of the eastern European co-hosts to stage the competition were raised yesterday when the Polish government appointed an administrator to run the country’s FA following investigations into corruption in domestic football.

Both Uefa and world governing body Fifa ferociously oppose government intervention in football and made a joint statement hinting at the possibility of suspending Poland from all levels of the game. The situation will be discussed at the next meeting of Fifa’s executive committee on 23 October. If the ultimate sanction is taken, Poland would lose the right to co-host Euro 2012.

“Our position regarding Euro 2012 is straightforward,” said SFA chief executive Gordon Smith. “If, in the event of it being taken away from Poland and Ukraine, it was opened to bids, then we would seek to establish if a bid from us would be considered by Uefa. If the response was positive, then we would undertake a feasibility study along with the Scottish government to decide if we would bid.”

It is understood the SFA would consider a solo bid, though a joint bid with Wales remains a possibility. Uefa is believed to favour Germany, Italy or Spain as an alternative.

Source:news.scotsman.com

The UEFA Executive, of which Dr Joe Mifsud forms part, has issued a serious warning to UEFA Euro 2012 hosts Poland and Ukraine, because they were well behind schedule, especially Ukraine.

Dr Mifsud said yesterday it was evident from recent visits by UEFA officials that work on football stadia, roads, airports and hotels were very far from being completed.

He added that UEFA had warned both that unless the stadia in Kiev (Ukraine) and Warsaw (Poland) were completed at least one year before the start of the finals, UEFA would have to transfer the finals to another country.

He added that in future, UEFA will be selecting the stadia to host its Championship finals – a minimum of six and a maximum of eight.

He added that even if Malta took part in just the qualifying stages because of the circumstances, it was still proud to have taken part in the last competition, the final of which between Spain and Germany, constituting a record TV audience of 30 million (90 per cent) in Spain alone.

Dr Mifsud added that the UEFA Executive felt it was justified in increasing the number of finalists from the 2016 tournament to 24. “Countries have shot up in Europe from 35 to 53 and it is possible that this number will increase by one or two in the next few years. In 1992, the finalists were eight. Then it was lifted to 16 and now to 24. Despite such an increase, the qualification rounds will not be touched and there will still be the usual groups of five or six teams,” he added.