Platini threatens to strip Ukraine of the Championship!

By: M. Wygralak

Platini said in Brussels: "I am concerned at the level of preparation displayed by Ukraine at this moment. In 10 days I am going there to meet the newly-elected president and discuss the details. If Kiev does not speed up construction of the stadium and other buildings, it will not be possible for the European Championship to take place in this country." His statement comes as a result of an assessment by Mark Timmer (director of the UEFA department responsible for the stadiums) and the delegation he led last week. It has been said unofficially that construction of the stadium in Kiev is delayed by over six months (construction of the stadium roof was to have begun last summer, for instance, and to date has not). The problems in Ukraine are not only those of Kiev: money is lacking for construction of the stadium in Lviv, though Vice Prime Minister Borys Kolesnikov has promised that the state will finance this.

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