Italian delegation stunned by Euro bid failure

The Italian football delegation are despondent after losing the race to host Euro 2012.

Italy had been considered favourites to stage the competition but UEFA’S executive committee decided to award the event to Poland and Ukraine.

“It is a choice of sporting politics that leaves us very bitter,” said Italian Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete.

“The three bids met all the requirements but then the decision is made by people based on European sporting politics that rewards eastern countries.”

Despite losing out, Abete nevertheless believes their plans to upgrade the old stadia in Italy should be carried out.

“Once we digest our disappointment we must make the effort to restructure our stadia,” he said.

Italian sports minister Giovanna Melandri had high hopes of seeing her nation host the European Championships for the third time in their history, having previously done so in 1968 and 1980.

And there was optimism Italy’s World Cup win in Germany last summer would further boost their bid.

But the bid has been overshadowed by last season’s match-fixing scandal which rocked the nation and ongoing problems with crowd trouble.

“I am very disappointed,” Melandri said. “Now we must think about winning the European competition on the pitch.”