Platini saw progress being made in the building of Kiev's new Olympic stadium

Ukraine will not lose the right to co-host the 2012 European Championship, Uefa president Michel Platini insisted on Wednesday.

Ukraine is set to stage the event along with Poland but has been plagued by political and financial problems.

Platini previously threatened to revoke the hosting rights if Kiev's Olympic stadium is not built on time.

But speaking in the country's capital Platini said: "It's impossible that Ukraine would lose Euro 2012."

Platini added that "today the Ukrainians and the Poles are working and are advancing".

He was speaking during a two-day visit to Kiev, where preparations for the tournament are running behind schedule.

Ukraine has suffered political turmoil in recent years and has been hit particularly hard by the global economic crisis.

Deputy prime minister Ivan Vasyunyk, who is in charge of the Euro 2012 preparations, assured Platini his country would meet all deadlines.

Vasyunyk told the former France midfielder: "As a state, as a football federation, as a joint team, we are ready to confidently receive your pass.

"As a united team we will score the winning goal in the Euro 2012 championship."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version