January 26 – FIFA has warned Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine that it risks suspension if the country’s football federation (FFU) replaces its current management, including President Hrigory Surkis (pictured right), according to a letter from FIFA.
In December, several FFU members tried unsuccessfully to sack Surkis who has been accused by some fans of favouring Dynamo Kiev, a team run by his brother Ihor Surkis.
Surkis’ opponents have said they would continue to seek his dismissal.
A total 38 of 49 voting members of the FFU signed the request asking FIFA to allow them to call the FFU into an unscheduled session so they could vote a no-confidence motion on Surkis, one of Ukraine’s most powerful businessmen who is credited with helping Ukraine’s successful bid to host Euro 2012.
FIFA said it had evidence of “interference by state authorities” in the case and warned the FFU against sacking Surkis before his term expires in 2012.
“In this regard, we have received clear evidence that some of these members made the decision… after strong pressure was exerted on their delegates by Government representatives and other persons and bodies external to the FFU,” FIFA said in a letter published on the FFU web site www.ffu.org.ua.
FIFA said it would not recognise any new management.
“FIFA requests that the FFU maintain its current executive committee until the end of its legitimate mandate in 2012, the letter written by FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said.
“FIFA will not recognise any other leadership which emerges from a process marred by interference,”
According to FIFA rules, any third party interference in the activities of a national soccer federation could lead to the suspension of its membership.
“Among other things, it [suspension] would mean that no Ukrainian team of any sort [including clubs] could have any sporting contact with a FIFA member,” FIFA said.
The FIFA set a February 4 deadline to receive “confirmation” from the FFU that efforts to sack Surkis had ended.