Senior Ukrainian, Polish and UEFA officials have given assurances that the two countries will successfully host the Euro 2012 finals.
Poland and Ukraine have been criticised for the slow progress made on stadiums and infrastructure since the finals were awarded last year and UEFA is closely monitoring both countries.
But Martin Kallen, UEFA’s special adviser to president Michel Platini, was optimistic on his first visit to Kiev.
“I think a lot of things have been done and there is a lot of work in front of us. But I am positive that the work will be accomplished,” he told a news conference alongside the heads of the Polish and Ukrainian football federations.
“I trust fully what was guaranteed.”
A dispute between the Warsaw government and the country’s FA created further problems and Polish FA head Grzegorz Lato was quoted by Polish media as saying his country could host the competition with Germany if Ukraine were unable to stage the tournament.
But he said those comments were taken out of context.
“For sure—100 percent—Euro-2012 will take place in Ukraine and in Poland,” Lato told reporters.
“I can guarantee today that that for sure until 2012 there will be no conflict between the minister and the Polish soccer association,” he said.
Ukrainian media reported Platini’s warning to both countries that they must meet the preparation criteria.
“Poland and Ukraine are well aware that it is a key condition that stadiums in their capitals be built in timely fashion.
“If they are not ready, then Euro 2012 will not take place in either Kiev or Warsaw,” he told reporters at a press conference in Sofia on Wednesday.
Give a subscription to World Soccer for Christmas this year and you’ll save up to 31%
