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Uefa has no 'plan B' to reallocate Euro 2012

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Published Date: 13 June 2008
UEFA insists it has no "plan B" in place to reallocate Euro 2012 if fresh reports of organisational disarray involving co-hosts Poland and Ukraine turn out to be true.
Ukrainian Football Federation vice-president Boris Voskresensky was quoted yesterday as saying the Taiwanese company responsible for renovating the Kiev Olympic stadium is "incapable" of finishing the job, before confessing Uefa could revoke the cou
ntries' staging rights if the situation does not improve.

The admission follows Uefa's expression of concern in January about the pace of progress. Despite the latest apparent setback, Uefa insists it will draw no conclusions until it visits the countries next month.

If Poland and Ukraine have to back out, then Scotland – possibly with Welsh assistance – could seek to step in to host the tournament.

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith has told Uefa president Michel Platini that Scotland "would like to be considered" as potential hosts if the situation becomes any more drastic.

However, Uefa is not looking at that prospect at this stage. Uefa director of communications William Gaillard said: "On 1 July, Uefa president Michel Platini will visit Poland and Ukraine with a panel to see if the progress matches what was required.

"In January, we gave them four to six months to fix things and give us a progress report. At this point we are not more concerned than we were in January, but at the same time we are not less concerned."

The latest twist in the saga came as a consequence of the Archasia Design Group's reported failure to finish reconstruction of the 80,000-seater stadium which has been slated to host the final.

Despite reports in Ukraine suggesting Uefa are drawing up a contingency plan, Gaillard is adamant no such measures have been taken.

He added: "At this stage we are not discussing any plan B in terms of new countries. There are alternative scenarios, there are proposed different cities within Poland and Ukraine, like Krakow and Odessa, which could host matches.

"There are all kinds of alternatives that people are looking into, and we will be assessing all these options in July."



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  • Last Updated: 12 June 2008 10:36 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Euro 2012
 
1

Media 1,

cape town 13/06/2008 08:28:11
Firstly, this ridiculous approach to host such prestigious competitions in two countries is a farce and once again, proof that nobody at UEFA or FIFA has a clue.
Out game is governed by incompetent fools at almost every level. They are also cheats and scamsters who award competitions to nations who do not deserve it.

South Africa is the most violent nation on earth and the roads are not sufficient to handle the traffic, so how on earth they will be able to handle the traffic for a world cup is beyond me.

Blatter is a one man demolish squad who has destroyed football.

Poland and Ukraine are deserving of the tournament, but if there is problems and the tournament needs to be relocated then it needs to be done.

I can almost gaurantee that fans visiting SA for 2010 will be murdered, hi jacked and assaulted. IT WILL HAPPEN more than at any other world cup! BUT FIFA still do nothing, they will sacrifice football fans for political point scoring and African sympathy.
2

Johnny Jambo,

13/06/2008 08:46:18
#1 Media1 - I dont think there will be too many arguments with you there mate.

God what am I saying JJ agreeing with Media1 whatever next.
3

Who?,

13/06/2008 10:06:39
2 & 3 - very true.

SA is going to be a nightmare. If fifa has steped in years ago the tournament could have been held in another african country or co-hosted over two or more countries.

fifa can be summed up using one name: Jack Warner. Corrupt, incompetent and unrepentant.

Fortunatly the british countries have sole control of the International Board. Until the time that fifa is suitable cleaned up the International Board should take over the running of world football.

 

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