Ukraine role as joint host in jeopardy

UEFA yesterday warned that Ukraine’s role as joint host of the Euro 2012 finals was in jeopardy as a dispute emerged over government interference in the running of Ukrainian football.

The executive committee of European football’s governing body wrote to Ukraine to warn it of the threat of suspension from European football unless it received a satisfactory response by February 4, secretary general Gianni Infantino said.

“If the FFU (Ukraine federation) is suspended from membership of UEFA, it was the unanimous view of the executive committee that it would not be tenable to play the final round of the European Championship in 2012,” the letter said.

Ukraine are due to co-host the competition with Poland.

A suspension would sideline Ukrainian clubs and the national side from European competitions.

Europe’s top international tournament is due to kick off in Warsaw on June 8 next year and end with the final in Ukraine’s capital Kiev on July 1.

Preparations for the event have been dogged by doubts since the joint bid by the two countries was chosen by UEFA in 2007, especially over Ukraine’s capacity to build up sparse and dilapidated transport and stadium capacity in time.

In April 2010, UEFA chief Michel Platini warned the Ukrainians that if stadium plans in Kiev did not advance they would lose their host status. However, four months later he said the ultimatum had expired.

Ukrainian officials have said Kiev’s stadium should open by August 24.

Infantino said it was too early to speak of playing the final in Poland or other alternatives.

The problems emerged after a disrupted FFU assembly last year, when international footballing officials received documents indicating pressure from regional and state authorities, according to UEFA.

The spat has already had an impact.

Ukraine’s team was moved into a six-strong group for a forthcoming U-21 Championship draw instead of a five-strong group, to minimise disruption to the tournament if they are suspended.