17 Jun 2008Kiev in hot water over stadium completion debate

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance | Football Technology and Stadia

Rumours that the Olympic stadium in Kiev will not be ready for Euro 2012 have been gathering pace recently, as a Russian newspaper reported comments from the vice president of the Ukranian Football Federation.

Russian newspaper Sport Express has carried a comment by Football Federation vice president Boris Vokresensky in which he suggested the stadium will not be finished in the timeframe required.

Quick to point out the fault lies far from the Ukraine however, Mr Vokresensky said: "The Asian company appears incapable of finishing the project and construction work in time because of a lack of necessary materials and resources."

Uefa has not yet made any alternative plans regarding a scenario in which the stadium is not finished, and the two countries due to host the tournament - Poland and Ukraine - will receive a visit from Uefa president Michael Platini in July before any decision is made over whether or not to move the focus of some games from Kiev to perhaps Krakow or Odessa.

"I know absolutely nothing about such a meeting," Uefa director of communications William Gaillard told a news conference on Saturday when asked about Uefa's alleged approach to Spain about stepping in to host the games if Ukraine cannot prepare its stadiums.

"There are a lot of stories going around about Euro 2012 and, as we have said before, we will be dealing with the issue in July with the visit of our president.

"Anything you hear before that is devoid of reality."

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