Ukraine given 30 days to resolve dispute
Reuters - Thursday 03 March 2011, 20:00
KIEV, March 3 (Reuters) - FIFA and UEFA have given Euro 2012
co-hosts Ukraine 30 days to resolve the situation regarding
political interference in the country's football federation (FFU).
Although the world and European governing bodies are pleased
with the progress made so far, they have written to the Ukraine
Football Federation saying not all requirements have been met.
FIFA had warned the FFU against trying to dismiss its
president Hrigory Surkis before the end of his term, which
expires after Euro 2012 which is being co-hosted with Poland.
Several FFU members tried unsuccessfully in December to sack
Surkis who has been accused by some fans of favouring Dynamo
Kiev, a team run by his brother Ihor.
FIFA and UEFA said in their letter to the FFU dated March 2
and seen by Reuters that they had "Taken note that 20 members
have still not fully complied with requirements laid out in the
FIFA letter of 24 January 2011.
"In particular we had asked you to provide us "confirmation
from the authorised governing bodies of the FFU members that
(the members) will abide by this request (to stop any activity
aimed at organising elections before the end of the FFU's
leadership term in 2012)".
"In this respect, FIFA and UEFA give you 30 days in order to
complete the collection of the duly completed documents. This
would allow us to close this case".
FIFA and UEFA do not tolerate outside interference in member
federations and had threatened to suspend Ukraine from
international football if the government did not act quickly.
Ukraine could not stage Euro 2012 if suspended.