15 Dec 2008Platini warns Ukraine over stadium development

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

Uefa president Michel Platini suggested on Friday (December 12th) that Poland may host the European Championships in 2012 alone if Ukraine does not complete its stadium project in Kiev, Reuters reports.

The co-hosts' attempts to get up to speed for the tournament have been blighted by a host of funding problems in relation to construction and infrastructure projects.

European football's governing body has previously warned that the event could be restaged but Platini's latest comments appear to indicate that a sole host may be on the cards if the redevelopment of the Luzhniki stadium is not completed.

Platini was quoted by Reuters as saying: "Germany? Only if the bulldozers are still working at the National Stadium in Warsaw in June 2012, but I doubt that.

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

The Frenchman has since moved to clarify his comments, stating that the situation is "very complicated" but that the stadia deadlines have to be met.

"The politicians in the Ukraine know that if the main stadium in Kiev is not ready then we will not go," he was further quoted as saying by the news provider.

Platini won 72 caps for France in a glittering career, scoring 41 goals in the process.

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