The European Championships, better known as Euro 2012, will kick off in Warsaw on 8 June as Poland face Greece to be followed by Russia against Czech Republic in Wroclaw
Hopefully by that date the current preparatory worries, especially in Ukraine, would have possibly simmered down and attention will eventually be focussed on the participating nations, the usual gossip on players and referees and the actual matches. After all, the European Nations Competition, as it was known, is all about top level football who many regard as superior even to the World Cup.
Presently there are a few issues which are seriously worrying the Ukraine administration which could easily disturb their ambitions for a smooth competition. Threats of racial hatred, animal and police cruelty, accommodation costs, Yulia Tymoshenko’s case, topless protests against prostitution, sexism and international marriage agencies have dominated the world headlines with little accent on the protagonists.
Boycotts
It is known that the rulers of a number of Western European countries like German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Austria’s counterpart Werner Faymann, the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, EU President Hermann Van Rompuy, Justice Commissioner Vivianne Reding, the Belgian government and others have all declared that they will boycott the tournament.
Apparently they are all concerned about what is happening in Ukraine especially with the alleged ill-treatment of former Prime Minister and Orange leader Yulia Tymoshenko, who is currently serving time and indulging in regular hunger strikes alleging serious ill-treatment. The 18th summit of Central European countries which was scheduled for 11 May and to be staged in Yalta had to be postponed as 13 EU countries pulled out in protest against the treatment of Ukraine’s Opposition leader.
These leaders want to send a ‘political signal’ but their action carries risks as it could alienate Ukraine from the West, demoralise its people and create a troubling sporting precedent. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said that “we have found resources, improved stadiums, built airports, roads and bridges and now we hear calls of boycott. How should we react after learning that they want to insult us?”
President Viktor Yanukovych said that “Tymoshenko’s case was purposely overblown as part of a foreign plot to prevent his country from getting closer to the EU.” Ukraine spent €14bn in infrastructure and other preparations, half of which came from private investments. Naturally after going through all preparations in a national effort to give Europe and the world their organisational high standards, they feel utterly disappointed to be facing serious criticism and calls of boycott by political leaders.
Warsaw fears
Warsaw fears that a punishing approach could push Ukraine closer to Russia.
It must be mentioned that 17% of the ethnic groups are Russian.
The immediate question is: Should such a high-level sports tournament be used as a political tool? Putin and Uefa supremo Michel Platini have both given their clear answers. The newly re-elected President of Russia said that “Tymoshenko’s case and Euro 2012 should be kept separate. One must not in any circumstances mix politics with sport”, while the president of Uefa, while acknowledging the existent problems, added “when Uefa decided to stage Euro 2012 in two former Communist countries its goal was to open up to a part of Europe that had never organised a championship. This desire to broaden our horizons is without doubt a double-edged sword. But it does have the virtue of opening up nations and favouring exchanges. The matches and other activities could help Ukraine society.”
There was a time when activists called for boycott over dog killings in Kiev, Donetsk and other cities. Now it is Tymoshenko. Any reason or excuse could be brought by different critics from different countries. The situation could become more complex if Tymoshenko is charged with the murder of Yefhen Shcherban and his wife at Donetsk airport in 1996. The main prosecutor is saying that the murder of the former rich MP by three people dressed as policemen was masterminded by Tymoshenko, which she calls absurd.
But the show must go on – for many valid reasons too, not the least those connected with commercialism and marketing.
For example the economic situation in both countries will be greatly improved as excitement has been stirring among investors, businesses and contractors. This is a very important consideration.
After all we will be stupid to consider Euro 2012 as merely a ‘football tournament’.
Clubs to share €100m from €1.3bn profits
Uefa will be making more than a billion euro profits from Euro 2012. The main sources come from sales of broadcastings rights (62%) and marketing (22%), while teams’ accommodation and ticket sales will provide no less than 16%.
One hundred million euro from these profits will go to clubs. According to Platini this money should be devoted to the development of youth football. Another sum will be awarded for the improvement of referees and coaches qualifications, whatever that may mean! And what about the rest?
Sports firms will also use the tournament for promotion and sales of tops, boots and balls. Being commercial entities one never really knows the total profit from such a tournament. There is no doubt that the joint organising countries will squeeze everything they can out of western tourists.
Hotel prices in the region of €1,500 for three nights is a very clear example.
Most of the 1.4 million tickets for the 31 matches with prices ranging from €30 for a seat behind goalposts during the group matches to €600 for the final have been sold despite the fact that the media has named them as “the most expensive sporting tickets this millennium”.
Nevertheless the organisers are more worried about possible disruptions from hooligans and racial abuse than the division of profits. Their national sides are hardly among the strongest in the tournament, but while experts keep mentioning Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and possibly France, as likely winners it seems that Denmark’s and the Greeks’ successes in previous editions are somehow forgotten.
80 referees
Actually there are only 12 referees and 36 assistant refs who will control the 31 matches, but Pierluigi Collina thought it fit to have 24 additional assistant referees, four match officials who will only serve as fourth officials and four reserve assistant referees. Join the party!
Football pundits already named the naughty boys and the possible best scorers. Players like Mark van Bommel (Hol), John Terry (Eng), Nigel de Jong (Hol), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Swe), Sergio Ramos (Spa), Pepe (Por), Balotelli (Ita) and Richard Dunne of Ireland are used to red cards while Robin Van Persie (Hol), Cristiano Ronaldo (Por), Karim Benzema (Fra), Mario Gomez of Germany and Bayern are expected to be among the leading scorers.
A few coaches will be out of job after the tournament. Slaven Bilic, 43, of Croatia has already made it known that he will leave, adding that six years is enough, while Dick Advocaat will move to PSV and bid farewell to Russia.
A good number of millionaires may make headlines because of their performance on the field. WAGS will be noted for their antics in bars and clubs. Spare a thought for the unfortunate girls who will be lured to work as chambermaids and waitresses but who will end up performing other ‘professional’ services in luxurious hotels; they may also get a mention in the papers for their performances.
The stage is set.
We are all ready for a feast of football. Soon everyone will be singing the official song Endless Summer by Oceania which is very pleasant to the ear as preparations for the next edition in France in 2016 are already under way.
Surely it is going to be an endless summer for football fans and all.
What an industry!
Tony Formosa is a former national football coach