Yushchenko urges action on Olympic stadium

President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko on June 2nd urged Kiev authorities to take steps to end a row over a construction site by the city's main stadium, which could hurt a bid to co-host the 2012 European Football Championship.

But construction of a shopping and entertainment complex next to the 84,000-seat Olympic stadium has prompted warnings from FIFA that it could withdraw permission to hold major matches there because of violation of safety norms.

Yushchenko, along with city and sports officials, appeared to have found a compromise in March by persuading developers to alter construction plans to meet FIFA concerns. Construction has, however, proceeded without any visible changes.

Yushchenko called on new Kiev Mayor Leonid Chernovetsky to take additional measures to solve issues linked to preparing the Olympic complex for the 2012 European Football Championship.

"At issue here is implementation of national and international demands to ensure safety for participants, visitors and workers ...," Yushchenko said in a comment posted on the presidential website www.president.gov.ua.

Ukrainian sports officials this week expressed optimism over their bid with Poland, suggesting a match-fixing scandal had compromised the chances of early favourite Italy.

Reuters, FFU, 9 June 2006