Ukraine's 2012 UEFA Cup Hosting in Question

Poland and Ukraine are supposed to host the 2012 UEFA European Cup in 2012, but it seems that preparations are behind schedule in Ukraine, with only 1 host city confirmed. Three other intended host cities have been given until the end of November to show that they can implement the necessary preparations to host the event.

[S]talled preparations for Euro 2012 are shedding an unpleasant light on all of the problems the game and the nation’s infrastructure has there. The necessary work on transportation links, accommodation and stadia is far behind schedule, even with three years to go.

UEFA this month confirmed five cities as hosts for games in 2012, but only one in Ukraine. The Dnipropetrovsk stadium, expensively built, has been dropped from UEFA’s list for 2012 as the 31,003 capacity is curiously just short of the required 33,000 minimum, with no commitment to a temporary capacity increase given.

Euro 2012 in Ukraine in Doubt
Pitch Invasion
August 14, 2009

Jordaan Assures UEFA That South Africa Will Be Ready

In a meeting with the Union of European Football Congress, 2010 Fifa World Cup Organising Committee South Africa Dr Danny Jordaan assured officials that the country would be ready in time for the June 2010 tournament.

At the invitation of Uefa president Michel Platini, Jordaan assured Uefa member associations at the congress that South Africa's stadiums were on course to be completed by October this year, in line with its Fifa deadlines. He also updated them about the country's transport, safety and fan park plans for the first African World Cup, taking place in June next year.

A substantial number of the anticipated 450 000 international visitors who will travel to South Africa for the 2010 Fifa World Cup are expected to come from Europe, with the likes of England, the Netherlands and Germany traditionally having among the largest fan bases at tournaments.

"Already well over 800 000 applications have been received for the 743 000 tickets that have been made available in this first round of ticket sales, many of them coming from fans in Europe. This means that the tournament is already oversubscribed, but it is still of utmost importance that the associations know exactly what to expect in South Africa in 2010," said Jordaan.

Source:
Jordaan paints bright picture of 2010 plans
Independent Online
March 26, 2009