Awarding Poland and Ukraine Euro 2012 championships was a risk move as the two lack experience in hosting big sports events, UEFA President Michel Platini has conceded.
Since being chosen to co-host the event, both countries have been criticised for the slow progress in updating the infrastructure and delays in building stadiums.
“We should remember that the two states so far have no experience in organising such events. That’s why it is a great adventure for us … a bit risky I’d say,” Platini told Przeglad Sportowy in an interview.
In December one of Poland’s host cities, Wroclaw, scrapped a deal with Mostostal Warszawa on stadium construction due to the delays.
Platini said he believed Wroclaw would be ready on time and had not considered moving matches away from the city.
“I am not considering such a scenario because the information I am getting from Wroclaw shows it’s just a change of the builder. Yes, the timing of opening of the new stadium will change, but it will not be a dangerous postponement,” he said.
“The stadium was supposed to be ready at the end of 2010 and it will be delayed by a few months.”
