Poland scramble to reach deal

Euro 2012 co-hosts face losing tournament

Last updated: 6th October 2008

Poland scramble to reach deal

Listkiewicz: Hopeful over deal

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Poland are hoping to reach a last-minute deal to avoid suspension from all Fifa competitions and losing the right to co-host Euro 2012.

The PZPN (Polish FA) were suspended last week and replaced by a government-appointed administrator after sports minister Miroslaw Drzewiecki filed a motion stating they had broken a number of laws.

Fifa and Uefa rules do not allow government interference with sporting associations and a deadline on Monday for the PZPN to be reinstated has come and gone, meaning Poland could now be suspended from all football competitions.

The football federation's suspended president, Michal Listkiewicz, president of the suspended football association, claimed the PZPN had come up with a proposal for the Ministry of Sport.

Essential

"The proposal is very good, and allows everyone to get out of this with face," he told TVN24 television. "It assures some essential legal changes in the federation."

Poland are due to play Czech Republic on 11th October and Slovakia four days later in their World Cup qualifying campaign, but will forfeit both matches 3-0 if an agreement cannot be reached.

Fifa have confirmed that new information on the situation has been received, but they are not in a position to lift the threat of a ban.

A spokesman said: "Fifa are taking the lead, but we have heard nothing concrete today from the Polish government and they must make their move because the deadline has now passed."

Uefa have also threatened to strip them of co-hosting rights for the next European Championship finals, with doubts already raised as to whether they and Ukraine will be ready in time for the tournament.

A Uefa spokesman said: "They (Polish government) have to realise they are playing with Euro 2012. How can we trust a government to host the tournament?

"If they fail to meet the deadline (to reinstate the PZPN) then it is likely we cannot go on."