Ukraine 2012 Bid in Serious Trouble?
Ukraine’s Euro 2012 bid is in jeopardy following serious economic and governmental woes.
It’s something that may not be on the minds of many international soccer fans right now given the organizational headache that is South Africa 2010, but Ukraine, one of the hosts for Euro 2012, is in serious financial and political trouble, according to an article published yesterday in the New York Times.
The Times has reported that “lines are sprouting at banks, the currency is wilting and even a government default seems possible.” On the political side of things, citizens are calling for the resignation of President Viktor Yushchenko, leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution which brought a pro-western government to Kiev.
Clearly, this is not the best environment in which to be hosting an international tournament. Although there are three years until the tournament, Platini and his men in Nyon had better be seeking alternate solutions. Interestingly, Platini thinks Poland may be capable of hosting the tournament on its own. In fact, some think the global economic downturn may actually benefit Poland in its preparation for 2012.
Still, Platini should not place all his faith in Poland, a country with relatively poor infrastructure and stadiums compared to Western European nations. Without Ukraine, Poland would be completely incapable of hosting Euro 2012 on its own. UEFA should invest some serious time and energy in speaking to English, Spanish, and Italian FA officials, although Platini has insisted that there is no “Plan B” for 2012. Perhaps he should admit the impending failure of his joint-host plan and seek other options lest he face the same embarrassment that Sepp Blatter and FIFA have faced in the preparation for South Africa.
How do you figure that Poland is unable to host this tournament on its own? Clearly your not an expert on these things so you shouldn’t be commenting on a subject you clearly know nothing about…
Keep barking on Poland and they will promote you.
Mac-
I don’t mean to sound insulting, but I think you have a rather short memory… Remember back in September when the Polish FA was suspended due to corruption? http://www.sports-city.org/news_details.php?news_id=5715&idCategory=48. And the match fixing scandal from last year? http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/12/sports/EU-SPT-SOC-Poland-Corruption.php. Do you expect a country, which has had serious long term issues with corruption in all aspects of the game capable of hosting the second most important tournament in the world on its own? I think the only way this can be pulled off is with support from another nation. If Poland does host the tournament by itself, UEFA will essentially have to prop up their FA.
In fact, what would be a better option for UEFA, and for Poland would be to host the tournament with Germany if Ukraine can’t pull through (which is looking more unlikely by the day, according to this): http://www.javno.com/en-sports/poland-could-host-euro-2012-with-germany-says-fa_198281.
Hi Andrew.Plymouth Argyle and England fan here.Good article which very much chimes in with cocerns others have expressed on various sites over recent months.I hope for the sake of Ukraine that that they get things sorted.On a personal note I’m hoping that the tournament stays with both countries as I took my 8 year old son Christopher to Vienna for the Final last year – Fanzone only unfortunately- and we’re planning to go Kyiv for the Final in 2012.It sounds a great city.However money talks so I can see it being switched.Personally I think Poland co-hosting with Germany is real possibility – or even Germany on its own- with the stadia and infrastructure already there from 2006.A visit to Berlin or Warsaw would still be great.What do you think?
Hi Phillip,
Thanks for your comment. I’d like to see UEFA stick with their original plan and allow Ukraine and Poland to jointly host the tournament. I’ll be in university by 2012 so I’d personally enjoy a visit to Eastern Europe. Whether Ukraine and Poland can actually get their collective acts together remains to be seen.
Germany is another great option- they did really well with the 2006 World Cup, making it an enjoyable experience for all nations involved and FIFA (as opposed to the South Africa headaches). Plus, as a fan, Germany is a great country to visit and watch football in.
Either way, as long as the tournament has a reasonable host(s), I’ll be happy.