9/12/2006

Poland to hold inquiry into FA

Poland are to hold an inquiry into the country's football association which may lead to the suspension of its management, Sports Minister Tomasz Lipiec said on Monday.

The Polish Football Association (PZPN) has been under fire since the middle of last year when prosecutors began an investigation into match-fixing that has so far led to the arrest of more than 40 referees, club and association officials.

PZPN, largely unreformed since the Communist era, has begun its own investigation but Lipiec said he had lost patience.

"Unfortunately, PZPN's own actions have not been sufficient," he told a news conference announcing the beginning of an administrative court inquiry into the association.

"I took this decision because I know that our checks to date showed breaches of the law and of the association's statute."

He said the proceedings may lead to the suspension of PZPN's whole management and the appointment of a temporary state administrator.

Association officials were not available for comment.

The announcement coincided with the visit of a UEFA delegation, which arrived on Sunday for a three-day visit to examine Poland's half of a co-bid with Ukraine to host the 2012 European Championship.

They are up against Italy and a joint bid by Croatia and Hungary, but hope a combined population of 80 million and the offer of the first Eastern European finals since the fall of the Iron Curtain can win them the tournament.

Lipiec played down concerns that the administrative case would damage the Euro 2012 bid and said he would take steps to reassure both UEFA and world governing body FIFA of the government's intentions.

"I will speak to FIFA chief Sepp Blatter on Sept. 20 ... to explain today's decision is not a political decision," he said.

"Paradoxically it may improve our chances for Euro 2012. The Italians have already dealt with their corruption row. We also want to deal with corruption in Poland and improve our image."

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