Football
Reuters 17y

Soccer-Croat FA delays decision on UEFA compensation claim

ZAGREB, April 26 - The Croatian FA has postponed a
decision on whether to ask UEFA for compensation for its failed
joint bid to host Euro 2012 with Hungary.

Its secretary-general Zorislav Srebric said on Thursday the
decision would now be taken next week.

Earlier this week Croatian FA President Vlatko Markovic said
Croatia and Hungary would file a compensation request to
European soccer's governing body.

UEFA awarded the championship to Ukraine and Poland in
Cardiff last week, favouring them over Italy and Croatia/Hungary
whose joint bid failed to win a vote.

"The letter will not be sent this week but the issue will
first be discussed by the national soccer association's
executive committee, which will take a final decision next
Wednesday or Thursday," Srebric told Reuters.

Croatian media and even the government criticised the FA and
its president for building local expectations.

Croatian soccer officials claim their bid was, together with
that of Italy, favoured by UEFA's technical study group.
However, the 12 eligible voting members of the executive
committee saw things rather differently. Poland/Ukraine gained
eight votes, Italy four and Croatia/Hungary none.

They also said the money invested in the bid could have been
spent on other soccer projects.

UEFA said its decision was not merely a matter of technical
commissions but a political act by a political body.

Media reports estimate the compensation request could be
worth some 2.0 million euros ($2.72 million), which is roughly
the sum the two countries invested in the bid.

Soccer officials have given no confirmation of amount that
could be sought.

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