Uefa warn Poland and Ukraine to quicken Euro preparations
Platini warns Poland and Ukraine they must speed up work for Euros
Also In The News
|
Newcastle United have appointed former Wimbledon boss Joe Kinnear as their interim manager until the end of October. |  |
Saturday, 27, Sep 2008 12:44
Uefa president Michel Platini has warned Poland and Ukraine they must speed up their preparations for the 2012 European Championships.
Platini says the two countries are not in danger of losing the right to host the tournament yet but insists progress must be made quickly.
Uefa's executive commitment reconfirmed the two countries as hosts yesterday but Platini warned that the governing body had concerns about the infrastructure currently in place in Poland and Ukraine.
"It's not about the stadia, it's about the infrastructure, hotels and transport," Platini said.
"We were promised new airports and we will not have new airports, we were promised new roads and we are still waiting. Progress has been neither constant or even."
Platini explained that the current infrastructure in place in the two host countries was not sufficient to withstand the large influx of supporters from other countries who would descend on the host cities during the championships.
He added: "Both host countries must continue to make the necessary efforts as any slackening could put in doubt the organisation of this tournament in these countries."
The Frenchman said the biggest improvements needed to be made in the capital cities of Warsaw and Kiev but has been assured that everything will be ready in time.
He explained: "Warsaw and Kiev are the key issues. We cannot organise a European competition if the capitals are not participating.
"The president and the prime minister tell me it will be ready. What am I supposed to say? That I don't believe them?"
Uefa general secretary David Taylor said the situation would be monitored, adding that the only thing that would stop the tournament being held in the two countries was the non participation of the two capitals.
He said: "If neither stadium is ready in Kiev or Warsaw, we would certainly do something different."