Romania probe Euro 2012 corruption claims

Romania’s anti-corruption court on Friday opened an inquiry into accusations of corruption made by a member of the Cypriot Football Federation (CFA) over the awarding of the right to host Euro 2012.

Romanian Football Federation president Mircea Sandu has denied reports that he is implicated in the affair, insisting that the Cypriot official in question had not mentioned either Romania or his name.

Spyros Marangos, a former treasurer of the CFA, claimed Poland and Ukraine’s victory in the Euro 2012 bidding race was tainted by vote-buying involving five UEFA officials in which over 11 million euros changed hands.

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

“Anti-corruption prosecutors are investigating alleged instances of corruption whereby certain members of the UEFA executive committee favoured two countries over another,” the Romanian court said, without giving details.

UEFA have said they are ready to open a disciplinary case if “tangible evidence” was delivered.

The Euro 2012 finals were awarded to the joint Poland-Ukraine bid in April 2007, ahead of Italy by eight votes to four.

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.