Platini hints Poland could be sole Euro 2012 hosts

Suggested Topics

Poland could host Euro 2012 alone if construction problems persist in Ukraine, according to Uefa president Michel Platini.

In an interview with the Daily Dziennik in Poland, Platini sought to dampen speculation that the tournament could be moved to Germany, but revealed continuing concerns over the pace of work on the Kiev Stadium.

Asked about Germany, Platini responded: "Only if the bulldozers are still working at the National Stadium in Warsaw in June 2012, but I doubt that."

"Kiev is another matter," he continued. "If there are late with the stadium, then there is a possibility that Euro 2012 will be hosted only by Poland."

The 2012 tournament has been dogged by speculation that work is not progressing quickly enough on preparing facilities, mainly in Ukraine.

In October, newly-elected Polish football federation boss Grzegorz Lato claimed that Poland would look to co-host the tournament with Germany if Ukraine failed to meet its deadlines.

That sparked an angry reaction in Ukraine, and relations were only repaired this week as Poland's Minister of Sports and Tourism, Miroslaw Drzewiecki, publicly backed Ukraine's preparations while on an official trip to the country.

"The Olympic Stadium in Kiev is being built," said Drzewiecki. "Despite the very difficult conditions, we saw a lot of people doing construction work and lots of work going on throughout the city.

"This mutual understanding (between Poland and Ukraine) is good for us."

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

Grace Dent: If you were on your first foreign trip for 24 years, would you want Bono to be a part of the package?

Grace Dent

If you were on your first foreign trip for 24 years, would you want Bono to be a part of the package?
Ireland's austerity D-Day: How much pain can it take?

Ireland's austerity D-Day: How much pain can it take?

After years of savage cuts, the Irish now face a stark choice: do they hand over control of their economy to Europe – or go it alone without the safety net of future bailouts?
Is doctors' fixation on treatment making us ill?

Is doctors' fixation on treatment making us ill?

Advances in medicine have made the impossible, possible. But an over-reliance on healthcare threatens to bankrupt the world – and make all of us sick
The most complained-about advertisements of all time

The most complained-about advertisements of all time

The ASA has received 430,000 complaints during its existence, with a record 31,548 in 2011
Olympians: They're fit and don't we just know it

Olympians: They're fit and don't we just know it

From Tom Daley's six-pack to scantily clad volleyball players, Olympic athletes are being sold on their sex appeal. Why can't we appreciate talent, not totty?
Return of the unacceptable face of capitalism?

Return of the unacceptable face of capitalism?

Sir Richard Needham's resignation from the board of Lonrho brings back bad memories of the group's controversial past
Off the rails in Bermuda

Off the rails in Bermuda

Best known for beaches, it's also home to a stunning hiking trail that follows the route of an old railway line
Get ready for a royal good time

Get ready for a royal good time

There are plenty of events to help you fly the flag during the Diamond Jubilee long weekend and half term
Spain: World football's marathon men

Marathon men: Are Spain running out of puff?

They have every right to be exhausted after four taxing years of almost non-stop action but the chance to claim a unique treble is spurring them on
Usain Bolt: The Bolt show runs on

Usain Bolt: The Bolt show runs on

Friday's 'slow' 100m has done nothing to dent Jamaican's supreme confidence he will triumph in London
The weirdest and most wonderful Diamond Jubilee memorabilia

Weird and wonderful Jubilee memorabilia

Coronation Chicken ice cream and Jubilee jelly moulds
'I may be deaf, but you can still talk to me'

'I may be deaf, but you can still talk to me'

Being a teenager is hard enough – for those with hearing loss, it can be even more complicated
A right royal trip down the river

A right royal trip down the river

A new exhibition celebrates the glory days of London's mighty Thames
The 10 Best lawn mowers

The 10 Best lawn mowers

From petrol-fuelled to self-propelled
Every second counts

Why does life appear to speed up as we get older?

Matilda Battersby finds out how the clock plays tricks with our minds