Dec 12

Poland could host Euro 2012 alone if construction problems persist in Ukraine, according to UEFA president Michel Platini.

In an interview with the Daily Dziennik in Poland, Platini sought to dampen speculation that the tournament could be moved to Germany, but revealed continuing concerns over the pace of work on the Kiev Stadium.

Asked about Germany, Platini responded: 'Only if the bulldozers are still working at the National Stadium in Warsaw in June 2012, but I doubt that.'

'Kiev is another matter,' he continued. 'If there are late with the stadium, then there is a possibility that Euro 2012 will be hosted only by Poland.'

The 2012 tournament has been dogged by speculation that work is not progressing quickly enough on preparing facilities, mainly in Ukraine.

In October, newly-elected Polish football federation boss Grzegorz Lato claimed that Poland would look to co-host the tournament with Germany if Ukraine failed to meet its deadlines.

That sparked an angry reaction in Ukraine, and relations were only repaired this week as Poland's Minister of Sports and Tourism, Miroslaw Drzewiecki, publicly backed Ukraine's preparations while on an official trip to the country.

'The Olympic Stadium in Kiev is being built,' said Drzewiecki. 'Despite the very difficult conditions, we saw a lot of people doing construction work and lots of work going on throughout the city.

'This mutual understanding (between Poland and Ukraine) is good for us.'

via RTÉ Sport: Poland may host Euro 2012 without Ukraine.

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Dec 12

Advanced discussions about the introduction of an All Ireland soccer league have taken place between clubs from both sides of the border and interested stakeholders, with the intention of drafting a New Year proposal that will be too good for the FAI and IFA to refuse.

The Irish Independent has learned that top eircom League sides have been involved in secret talks with counterparts in the North and with the backing of significant third party encouragement in the hope of bringing the project to fruition.

They have been given reason to believe that governments in the North and South would be receptive to the project and are confident that UEFA — who have been informally sounded out — and FIFA will give the necessary backing to the venture.

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