Ukraine's hosting of Euro 2012 in doubt

Ukraine’s hopes of co-hosting Euro 2012 are once again in question after UEFA noted there are “important shortcomings” in the country’s preparations.

Europe’s governing body today confirmed the Polish cities of Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw and Wroclaw are all set to host games during the tournament, but Ukraine continues to cause concern.

“We have seen progress over the last few months but we must remind both countries that there is still a huge amount of work to be undertaken,” UEFA president Michel Platini said.

“There are numerous infrastructure issues that urgently need to be resolved in Ukraine to convince the UEFA Executive Committee that the host city candidates can be appointed as UEFA Euro 2012 host cities.”

UEFA confirmed that Kiev has been included on the list of host cities for group games, but facilities must be improved if the Ukrainian capital is to be considered for games later in the tournament.

UEFA declined to confirm games would be played in three other proposed cities, Donetsk, Lviv and Kharkiv, at this time.

The verdicts were delivered at a meeting of the UEFA Executive Committee today in Bucharest.

Poland and Ukraine’s preparations have been constantly called into question since they were awarded the event, which will take place from June 9 to July 1, 2012.

Despite the problems, Platini insisted he remains committed to playing in Eastern Europe.

“We must respect the decision of the Executive Committee of 18 April 2007, when it awarded the organisation of the European Football Championship 2012 to Poland and Ukraine,” he said.

“This was again emphasised by the UEFA Congress in March 2009, when it stressed the importance that the staging of this world-class event will have to further promote and develop football in the eastern part of Europe.”

UEFA will next review the progress made by the two countries in December.