Poland is likely to be stripped of the right to co-host Euro 2012 if it fails to reinstate the country’s football association by 1000 GMT on Monday.
“They (Polish government) have to realise they are playing with Euro 2012. How can we trust a government to host the tournament …. if they fail to meet the deadline then it is likely we cannot go on,” a UEFA spokesman said.
Poland’s arbitration tribunal suspended the PZPN (FA) board and named an administrator a week ago after Sports Minister Miroslaw Drzewiecki filed a motion saying it had broken the law in a number of cases.
“This is about the fundamental principles of our sport,” said William Gaillard, a special adviser to UEFA boss Michel Platini. “We cannot allow sports administrators to be replaced the following day by politicians at the whim of a government.
“FIFA is taking the lead in this. But we will react very quickly to any fallout which may have consequences for us, notably Euro 2012.”
FIFA said Warsaw must reinstate PZPN or risk being suspended from this month’s two World Cup qualifying matches.
“This is a battle of wits and a war of nerves between Poland and FIFA,” Polish Interior Minister Grzegorz Schetnya told a television news channel. “Ultimatums and pressure are not advisable. I think FIFA is using scare tactics.”
