´Happy´ FIFA chief confirms PZPN administrator to stand down

AFP - 6 October 2008 19:55

Soccer association FIFA President Swiss Sepp Blatter, seen here in Brussels, said he was happy a dispute which left Poland´s football federation (PZPN) under threat of being suspended for its next two World Cup qualifiers was now over.

BRUSSELS (AFP) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter said here Monday he was happy a dispute which left Poland's football federation (PZPN) under threat of being suspended for its next two World Cup qualifiers was now over.

And the chief of world football confirmed that an independent commission will on Tuesday start working to replace an administrator, Robert Zawlocki, who was put in place by the Polish sports ministry after their sacking of the PZPN president.

However Poland's Sports Minister Miroslaw Drzewiecki later on Monday said he would be waiting until at least Friday before any action is taken.

According to the minister, the commission, composed of representatives from FIFA, UEFA, the PZPN and the Polish Sports Ministry, is to meet for the first time on Friday in Zurich, Switzerland.

"It is only then that we can speak of taking a decision (recalling the administrator)," Drzewiecki said.

Blatter had said earlier at the European Parliament: "I'm happy to announce that there is no longer any problem concerning Poland's next two qualifying matches for the World Cup."

Poland faced the threat of being suspended from World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Slovakia later this month after the sports ministry broke FIFA rules by sacking federation president Michal Listkiewicz and the board last week.

After last-minute talks and an 11th hour proposal which reached FIFA before a noon deadline Monday, Blatter confirmed that the warring parties had found common ground.

The FIFA chief said he was sorry the situation had escalated to such heights.

But he confirmed that the administrator, put in place after the sacking of federation chief Listkiewicz, would now stand down. There was no immediate indication whether Listkiewicz would be returned to his post.

"I'm sorry we had to intervene in Poland, which is a major footballing country," Blatter added.

"This problem saddened me, but now I'm happy to announce that a solution has been found: an independent commission will start working again on Tuesday and the administrative board will stand down."

Poland's Sports Ministry last week sacked the PZPN board and replaced it with an administrator, following over three years of match-fixing scandals in Polish football.

FIFA said in an earlier statement it would "continue to monitor the situation".

The dispute also could have ramifications for Poland's co-hosting of the Euro 2012 championships which is run by FIFA member UEFA.