Cyprus FA distances itself from Euro 2012 claims

The Cyprus Football Association distanced itself on Tuesday from corruption claims made by a former official over the bidding for Euro 2012 and welcomed UEFA’s stance on the issue.

“We want to announce that the Cyprus Football Association has no knowledge of the allegations/accusations made by Mr Spyros Marangos as published in the media,” said a CFA statement.

“We are especially pleased to see that UEFA has decided to investigate the allegations as long as Mr Marangos presents the evidence he claims to have in his possession,” it added.

European football’s governing body said on Monday that its lawyers had asked a former Cypriot football official to provide evidence to back claims that bidding for Euro 2012 was tainted by corruption.

UEFA said it could only act on “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,” it added in a statement.

UEFA requested the individual to submit to UEFA — by Wednesday at the latest — any evidence that according to him would confirm the allegations.

Marangos was quoted by the Cyprus News Agency as saying he had been told by UEFA to go to Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday, but that he would not do so because he had not been given enough notice.

However, CNA quoted a letter from his lawyers as saying “our client is willing to give evidence and proof in his possession as long as the correct procedures are followed by UEFA and he is given a satisfactory amount of time to do so.”

The German daily Suedeutsche Zeitung reported on Saturday that Marangos, a former treasurer of the CFA, claimed the attribution of the event to Poland and Ukraine was tainted by vote buying involving UEFA officials.

Marangos reportedly said he had tried for two years to ensure that evidence would reach UEFA president Michel Platini.

UEFA said it was ready to open a disciplinary case if the “tangible elements” were delivered.

But it warned that it reserved the right to take legal action against “defamatory statements” if it did not receive evidence in time.

The Cyprus football body said the former official had made similar corruption claims over CFA elections when he failed to be voted back in three years ago.

“These allegations were investigated and findings issued. According to these findings none of the allegations could be proven against anyone as Mr Marangos could not substantiate his claims,” said the CFA.

The CFA said it wanted to take disciplinary action against Marangos but cannot do so unless he joins a sporting organisation.

The Euro 2012 finals were attributed to the joint Poland-Ukraine bid in April 2007, ahead of Italy.

The latest report emerged as world football’s governing body FIFA was investigating allegations of vote selling and collusion in the race to host the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.