Goal.com
Failed Euro 2012 Bid Makes Italy Target Stadiums
In the wake of UEFA’s announcement that Poland and the Ukraine will jointly hold the 2012 European Championship Finals, FIGC President Giancarlo Abete expressing his disappointment and the urgent need for change in Italy’s stadiums.
The exec was obviously very disappointed, but didn’t pass the opportunity up to rattle a few shots off at the European body. "The decision made by the UEFA executive committee was based on sports politics, and we are not pleased with it. We were confident and we were expecting to organize the Euro but we accept the decision although we are disappointed".
Abete went on to analyse the 'why’ behind the decision and look forward to a better chance in future editions. "In life you win some and you lose some, but what’s important is that you compete fairly. Perhaps Italy was a little more ahead and UEFA made a decision based on a European sports politics”, he claimed.
“Eastern Europe has never organised a tournament like this, and UEFA thought that 2012 was the right moment. We have to respect this decision even though it did not fairly reward our efforts in my opinion", he added.
Now the focus will be on removing the possible 'scapegoat’ of crumbling and poorly organised stadiums in Italy. "The priority is prove that we are able to renovate the stadiums even without the European Championships, this is our challenge. Euro 2012 was an opportunity, but not the only one to improve our facilities", he concluded.
The exec did, however, stop short of giving any details of potential Italian central government aid to speed the process along, nor did he outline a plan. FIGC are, however, expected to be formulating a plan to put the bitter disadvantage to sweet use and finally reform and refurbish Italian stadiums so that they reflect the quality of football played inside them.