Ukraine's sports minister on Wednesday discounted UEFA suggestions that a row over the state of Kiev's main stadium could hamper the country's ability to co-host the 2012 European Championship finals with Poland.
Ukraine's soccer federation posted a report on its Web site that it said was from a meeting at UEFA's Swiss headquarters in which UEFA officials expressed concern over a failure to start renovation at Kiev's Olympic stadium and over an adjacent construction site.
Sports Minister Viktor Korzh said, however, construction of the shopping and leisure centre had been suspended by government order. A solution would soon be found to halt it or ensure the site did not violate safety or crowd control norms. "There should be no grounds for concern on the part of Mr Platini," Korzh told a news conference, referring to UEFA President Michel Platini.
"The government is well aware of the problem and a decision will be taken to do away with this problem fully. The Olympic stadium will be rebuilt. Considerable funds have been allocated. The stadium will be ready for Euro 2012."
UEFA and world body FIFA have previously complained that the construction site, if completed, would violate norms for allowing crowds to disperse from the 84,000-seat stadium, first built in 1923 and most recently renovated in the 1990s.
FIFA at one point threatened to withdraw permission to hold international matches at the venue, due to undergo considerable renovation and hold the final of the 2012 tournament. Korzh said negotiations had intensified in recent weeks with a view to offering the shopping centre developer compensation.
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