UEFA president says Euro 2012 will take place in Ukraine and Poland

16:17

UEFA President Michel Platini has said he is confident that the Euro 2012 European Football Championship will be held in Ukraine and Poland.

"It is impossible for Ukraine to lose the Euro 2012 championship," he said at a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday, asked whether he has any doubts that Euro 2012 would be held in Ukraine.

However, he said that Ukraine and Poland face serious challenges and have a great deal of work to do. He said that the UEFA Executive Committee would put forward its proposals on Euro 2012 preparations to Ukraine.

Platini refused to discuss the preparations of Ukrainian cities for Euro 2012, and added that this is in the competence of the UEFA Executive Committee, which is to select Euro 2012 host cities in May this year.

Platini said that several criteria would be taken into account during the selection of the host cities, particularly the infrastructure of cities and sites of interest to visiting fans.

"All of the fans that will travel to Ukraine should receive good conditions," he said.

Platini said that UEFA sees that Ukraine and Poland are very interested in organizing this championship at the proper level, but added that the situation is difficult due to the economic crisis.