Uncle Albert Posted 21 July 2008 Posted 21 July 2008 Germany lined up by Uefa to replace Ukraine as Euro 2012 co-hosts. Germany are being lined up to replace Ukraine as co-hosts for Euro 2012 amid fears inside Uefa that the East European country will not be ready to stage the event. Inspectors from the European game's governing body, who visited the country two weeks ago, are putting together a report on the state of preparations which will go before their executive committee in September. But Uefa are already making contingency plans to move the tournament from Ukraine because of concerns over the political situation, delays to stadium construction and worries over transport infrastructure. It is understood that in the last week officials from Uefa have spoken to the German FA about playing a minor co-hosting role with Poland, whose preparations impressed inspectors. Berlin and Leipzig are possible venues. Uefa sources admit the political situation in Ukraine, where presidential elections are due next year, have impacted on preparations which are behind schedule. The situation is complicated by the involvement of controversial oligarchs in the Ukrainian Football Federation's (UFF) organising committee. The Daily Telegraph has learned that the president of the UFF, Grigory Surkis, was banned from visiting the United States in 2004 because of corruption allegations. He was denied entry under a United States presidential order that authorises immigration officials to withhold visas from foreigners suspected of "corruption...that has or had serious effects on US national interests", according to the American Embassy in Kiev. Surkis was both a business and political associate of Viktor Medvedchuk, then head of the presidential administration. Surkis was also a deputy leader of the Social Democratic Party, headed by Medvechuk. The pair have been business partners since the early 1990s and founded the company that owns Dynamo Kiev. An equally influential figure is the oligarch Igor Kolomoisky, a vice-president of the UFF who has partly financed one of the main arenas for Euro 2012, the Dnipropetrovsk Stadium. Opposition groups regard Kolomisky as the most powerful and controversial oligarch in Ukraine and say he is protected at the highest level. Privately Uefa admit the involvement of these individuals is a concern.
Simi Posted 21 July 2008 Posted 21 July 2008 Yeah, they only had it 2 years ago so that's fair. Oh, and Germany co-hosting with Poland? Surely not the best idea?
Mike the Metal Ed Posted 21 July 2008 Posted 21 July 2008 Boooooo, was hoping to go and visit Pripyat before it collapses entirely.
act smiley Posted 22 July 2008 Posted 22 July 2008 Poland can just about do it themselves if you include their backups like Wisla's and Legia's.
Finnegan Posted 22 July 2008 Posted 22 July 2008 Boooooo, was hoping to go and visit Pripyat before it collapses entirely. Oddly enough I was talking to a friend about that the other day. Is it really morbid that I think it'd be a fascinating place to visit?
ronnup Posted 23 July 2008 Posted 23 July 2008 Poland can just about do it themselves if you include their backups like Wisla's and Legia's. beat me to it, and they have a full contingency plan in place. Blew it with persistant violence at the Euros though.
MC Prussian Posted 23 July 2008 Posted 23 July 2008 Boooooo, was hoping to go and visit Pripyat before it collapses entirely. Just wait and see how England fares during the upcoming qualifying stage...
Alexikokopops Posted 23 July 2008 Posted 23 July 2008 Germany and Poland co-hosting? Surely that's not ideal.
billyfox1 Posted 23 July 2008 Posted 23 July 2008 Surely they'll sort this out. They've got 4 years. The same has been said about South Africa 2010 for the last few years but they're going to be alright by the sound of things Blew it with persistant violence at the Euros though totally agree they fought nearly eveyone they played
Floating Fox Posted 23 July 2008 Posted 23 July 2008 To be fair, they should never have been given it in the first place. I'd love it if Germany got to co-host it Although as pointed out, not really a match made in heaven is it? Although I can't really see any other country that could co-host near Poland really...
purpleronnie Posted 23 July 2008 Posted 23 July 2008 To be fair, they should never have been given it in the first place.I'd love it if Germany got to co-host it Although as pointed out, not really a match made in heaven is it? Although I can't really see any other country that could co-host near Poland really... Sweden?
Ashley Posted 23 July 2008 Posted 23 July 2008 Unlucky Ukraine, fair play to Germany for stepping in. The World Cup was a good set up over there, My dad went over 3 times to watch England said it was good.
Ryanside Posted 23 July 2008 Posted 23 July 2008 Unlucky Ukraine, fair play to Germany for stepping in. The World Cup was a good set up over there, My dad went over 3 times to watch England said it was good. Me and a few mates brough a van off ebay for £170 and did 3 weeks all over Germany when it was on, they really did put on a good show, the fan fests were epic! Would definately head over again if they were to co-host it
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