UEFA has dismissed media reports which claim the European body doubts Ukraine's capability to co-host UEFA EURO 2012™ with Poland amid stadium-related issues.
The media reports concern the redevelopment of the Olympiyskiy National Sports Complex in Kiev. "UEFA would like to clarify the facts," a statement said. "Media reports suggesting that UEFA has cast doubt, in any way, on the country's ability to host the UEFA EURO 2012™ final round, due to the rebuilding plans for the stadium, are well wide of the mark. It has been alleged that UEFA was overly-concerned at the plans for the stadium at a recent meeting held in Nyon, Switzerland with the two appointed host countries, Poland and Ukraine.
'Common steps'
"UEFA would like to point out that the purpose of the meeting was to have a global review of the situation in all crucial operational areas with the host associations, and to identify common steps to allow the project to start. UEFA is not unduly concerned over the detailed issues surrounding the stadiums for UEFA EURO 2012™, and the meeting did not focus on any of these areas in particular. Finally, UEFA would like to point out that it is currently concentrating all its efforts on the final organisational plans for UEFA EURO 2008™, which are in full swing."
April decision
The UEFA Executive Committee awarded the 2012 tournament to Poland and Ukraine at its meeting in Cardiff, Wales in April.
source
2012 reports 'wide of mark'
uefa.com launches 2012 section
Supporters' attention may be focused on the qualifying campaign for UEFA EURO 2008™ but with plans gathering pace for the finals in Poland and Ukraine in 2012, uefa.com has launched a section dedicated to that event.
UEFA President Michel Platini called Poland/Ukraine "a worthy winner" after revealing the bid had beaten off the challenge of Croatia/Hungary and Italy to land the prestigious finals. The tournament will be played at four venues in Poland (Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw and Wroclaw) and four in Ukraine (Dneprpetrovsk, Donetsk, Kiev and Lvov), and uefa.com will keep you up to date with all the official news from both countries as they continue their preparations for Europe's biggest sporting event.
source
UEFA party to visit 2012 co-hosts
UEFA President Michel Platini is heading a UEFA delegation that will be visiting the host countries for UEFA EURO 2012™, Poland and Ukraine, over the next two days.
Mr Platini will hold one-to-one meetings with the presidents and prime ministers of both countries. On Wednesday afternoon, he will meet Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Lech Kaczyński. On Thursday, the UEFA President will have discussions with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and President Viktor Yushchenko.
Fact-finding mission
"This visit is part of a top-level fact-finding mission to Poland and Ukraine," said Mr Platini. "We will meet with the countries' leaders and hold discussions with all the relevant bodies in charge of the preparations for UEFA EURO 2012™, in order to take stock of the current situation within the two countries. A report will then be given to the UEFA Executive Committee in order that they can fully review the situation in the two countries at our next meeting on 25 and 26 September in Bordeaux. "
Meeting associations
The ten-strong delegation will also have high-level talks with the two football associations – the Polish Football Association and the Football Federation of Ukraine – and the ministries and bodies involved in preparing UEFA EURO 2012™. Poland and Ukraine were chosen as co-hosts of the 2012 tournament in April 2007.
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan
Part of the delegation, including Michel Platini, will continue on from Ukraine and travel to Kazakhstan, where they will meet the Football Federation of Kazakhstan and visit the new stadium in Astana, before moving on to Azerbaijan's capital Baku for discussions with the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan and a visit to the construction site of a youth football academy.
Important development
"I am very happy to use this opportunity to visit my football friends in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan and to see their latest projects – a new football stadium in Astana and a new youth academy respectively," said Mr Platini. "The development of football infrastructure in these countries further east is very important for the future of our game."
source
Positive news from Poland visit
UEFA has given a positive assessment of preparations in Poland for UEFA EURO 2012™, which the country will co-host with Ukraine.
UEFA President Michel Platini is heading a UEFA delegation currently visiting the host countries. On Wednesday, he held one-to-one meetings with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Lech Kaczyński, as well as talks with representatives of the Polish Football Association. On Thursday, the party moved on to Ukraine, where Mr Platini will have discussions with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and President Viktor Yushchenko.
source
