UEFA INSIST they will open an investigation into claims of corruption surrounding the appointment of Poland and Ukraine as Euro 2012 hosts only if evidence is produced.
Spiros Marangos, treasurer of the Cyprus Football Association, made the allegations in German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung.
Uefa said yesterday the claims are unsubstantiated and called for proof to be produced by tomorrow.
The allegations follow a Sunday Times report of two Fifa executive committee members who asked for money in return for World Cup votes.
Uefa said in a statement: “Uefa has taken note of recent media reports according to which an individual from Cyprus claims to be in possession of evidence that certain Uefa representatives were corrupted in relation to the appointment of Poland and the Ukraine as hosts for Uefa Euro 2012.
“In relation to this as yet unsubstantiated claim, Uefa wishes to state that, as always, it can only open an investigation on the basis of tangible elements of proof.
“To date these have never been provided to Uefa by this individual prior to any meeting and this in spite of repeated requests by Europe’s governing football body.
“Uefa has therefore today, via its legal counsel, again requested said individual to submit to Uefa any evidence that according to him should confirm his allegations, by Wednesday, October 27th, at the latest.
“If any such tangible elements are delivered, Uefa will then open the corresponding disciplinary case and will submit such evidence to the competent authorities.”
Uefa said they were leaders in the fight against corruption and threatened legal action against unsubstantiated statements.
The statement added: “If no such evidence is submitted within the time frame, Uefa reserves its right to start legal proceedings, civil and criminal, against any individual or individuals making such defamatory statements.”
Meanwhile, Uefa president Michel Platini has claimed introduced goal-line technology will lead to “PlayStation football” but admits referees have to be masochists to cope with all the criticism thrown at them.
Platini, who is pushing for two extra assistant referees behind the goal-line at games, said football had to help match officials gain more respect.
Football’s law-makers last week took the first step towards introducing goal-line technology, but, speaking on a visit to Glasgow, Platini said: “Then we will have PlayStation football.”
He added: “One referee is not enough, not in the modern era where you have 20 cameras. It is unfair: the cameras can see everything but the referee only has one pair of eyes. Every time he makes a mistake, those cameras are there to focus on it . . . .
“It is a logical step with so many cameras that can pick up incidents: the more eyes there to assist the referee, the better the chance of spotting those incidents.”
