European Football

Poland miss FIFA deadline, compromise tabled

11:22 BST, Mon 6 Oct 2008
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Spokesman for Polish Soccer Association Zbigniew Kozminski speaks to the media outside the Polish Soccer Association headquarters in Warsaw October 6, 2008. Poland risk suspension by FIFA from all soccer competitions, and the loss of co-hosting rights for Euro 2012, unless they reinstate the country's Football Association on Monday. A stand-off continued over the weekend between the game's world governing body and the Polish government as the clock ticked down to Monday's 1000 GMT deadline to reverse Warsaw's decision to replace its FA with an administrator last week.  REUTERS/Peter Andrews (POLAND)

WARSAW/BRUSSELS, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Poland failed to reinstate the country's football association before Monday's deadline set by FIFA, risking suspension from all soccer competitions and the loss of co-hosting rights for Euro 2012.

Soccer's world governing body said it had received new information on the situation from the suspended Polish FA (PZPN), but was still awaiting a full report following last minute talks between the government and the football association.

"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," a spokesman for European soccer's governing body UEFA said.

FIFA -- whose rules forbid government interference -- had given the Polish government until 1000 GMT on Monday to reverse Warsaw's decision to replace its FA with an administrator last week.

A compromise was tabled by the Polish FA earlier on Monday, officials involved in the talks said.

"The plan put forward is to get rid of the administrator and provisionally reinstate the FA for 20 days until new elections on Oct. 30th with FIFA and UEFA sending observers to oversee the elections," one official told Reuters.

Poland's sports minister Miroslaw Drzewiecki and suspended FA president Michal Listkiewicz would not comment on the compromise plan.

"We had seen the proposal and replied to it. Now we are waiting for a response from FIFA and PZPN," Drzewiecki told reporters.

EURO 2012 IN JEOPARDY

FIFA said president Sepp Blatter and special advisor Jerome Champagne would discuss the proposal along with UEFA president Michel Platini. Blatter and Champagne were due to appear before the European Parliament in Brussels later on Monday.

"There is a way out,"Listkiewicz told TVN24 television channel. "This is a very good proposal allowing everybody to save their face."

Earlier on Monday, UEFA said Poland is likely to be stripped of the right to co-host Euro 2012 along with Ukraine if it failed to meet FIFA's deadline.

"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 then it is likely we cannot go on," the spokesman said.

"UEFA held a meeting this morning and those present were very angry with Poland's behaviour. UEFA sees their actions as an insult.

"Euro 2012 is in jeopardy. They must reinstate the FA or there is an enormous risk to their right to host Euro 2012," the spokesman added.

Poland's arbitration tribunal suspended the PZPN (FA) board and named an administrator last Monday after Drzewiecki filed a motion saying it had violated the law in a number of cases. FIFA said Warsaw must reinstate the FA or risk being suspended from this month's two World Cup qualifying matches.

Poland are scheduled to play Czech Republic on Oct. 11 and Slovakia four days later in European qualifying Group Three which the team lead with four points from two games. Suspension could force them to forfeit the matches and their opponents awarded 3-0 victories.

Corruption accusations have often been raised against the PZPN and its head, Michal Listkiewicz, but a succession of sports ministers, including Drzewiecki, have failed to oust him.

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