Ukraine could lose the right to co-host the Euro 2012 due to delays in the renovation of Kiev’s Olympic stadium, an official from the Ukrainian soccer federation was quoted as saying on Thursday.
President Viktor Yushchenko has grown concerned in recent weeks over the slow progress of preparations and has given the organising committee until June 18 to resolve key issues. Rumours have periodically swept Ukraine’s capital that European soccer officials are drawing up contingency plans to move the event if demands are not met.
Swiss star Frei facing surgery
FEUSISBERG: Switzerland captain Alexander Frei faces surgery for the knee ligament tear which prematurely ended his involvement in Euro 2008, team doctor Cuno Wetzel said Thursday.
The Borussia Dortmund striker suffered the injury in the opening Group A match last Saturday, a 1-0 defeat by the Czech Republic.
“He is doing okay (but) we have detected a certain instability regarding the knee,” Wetzel said.
Berne police fire pellets on rowdy fans
GENEVA: Swiss police fired rubber pellets to deal with one violent group in Berne after Turkey knocked the host nation out of Euro 2008 but added on Thursday that generally the post-game incidents were “marginal”.
Berne police fire pellets on rowdy fans
GENEVA: Swiss police fired rubber pellets to deal with one violent group in Berne after Turkey knocked the host nation out of Euro 2008 but added on Thursday that generally the post-game incidents were “marginal”.
Police in the capital said 50,000 gathered in the city’s public viewing areas to watch Wednesday's Group A 2-1 win for Turkey.
Officers had to step in to deal with rowdy fans who were provoking each other after the match and in one incident fired rubber pellets, they said.
Three people were injured and 25 taken into temporary custody, they said in a statement.