Ukraine’s top football official Wednesday rubbished recent news reports that games to be played in the country at Euro 2012 might be moved to Spain, calling them “groundless”.
“I have spoken by telephone with my colleague (Spanish football federation president Angel Maria Villar),” said Hryhory Surkis, president of the Federation of Football of Ukraine (FFU).
“He told me the reports were groundless,” Surkis said, in comments published on the FFU website.
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Surkis’ remarks were the first public response by a senior Ukrainian football official to comments attributed to Villar by Spanish media, in which he purportedly said Spain could host Ukraine’s share of the Euro 2012 championship if UEFA chose to move the games.
Ukraine and Poland are co—hosts of the tournament. Surkis said he was sure the matches would go ahead in both countries as planned.
“In talks (with UEFA) it was made absolutely clear that the host countries have fully completed the tasks assigned them regarding construction and infrastructure, and the European Championship can be held on the highest level,” Surkis said.
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“This speculation (about moving Euro 2012 games out of Ukraine) needs to end.” Surkis said UEFA head Michel Platini “thanked him personally” for Ukraine’s work in getting ready for the sports event.
Terrorist bombings Friday in the eastern Ukrainian city Dnipropetrovsk, and a long—running row between Kiev and EU nations over the possibly improper imprisonment of Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko have raised questions about Ukraine’s suitability as a host nation for Euro 2012.
Ukraine is the first former Soviet republic to be a host for a major international football championship. Euro 2012 games will be played from June 8 to July 1.