'How Italy lost Euro 2012 bid'
The former treasurer of the Cypriot FA Spyros Marangos has told La Gazzetta dello Sport that the voting for Euro 2012 was apparently rigged.
Italy's bid received just three votes at a UEFA assembly in Cardiff three years ago, while Poland and the Ukraine got seven.
Marangos alleges that four UEFA members' votes were bought for a total of €9.15m and insists that he has three witnesses and the proof to back up his claims.
“Before April 18 2007, the day of the vote, I noted strange movements,” Marangos told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I knew that Surkis had an objective: to take Euro 2012 at all costs. And I started to inform myself.
“There are three witness. One has followed the movements of the people involved. The others can confirm the sums paid after the vote in Cardiff.”
Asked how many UEFA members were involved in the bribe-taking, Marangos said: “Four.
“One took €3.15m. The three others received €2m a head - a total of €9.15m. I know that in Germany they are talking about a fifth person, but I don't have the proof.”
Marangos then gave an insight into where and how the bribes were paid.
“I can only say that here in Cyprus €3.15m was in a big fluffy teddy bear.”
Asked to reveal what proof he has to back up his allegations, Marangos said: “Three documents. But one is sufficient to open an investigation.
“I am not scared. I want to go all the way. But I am scared for wives, kids, friends, witnesses, lawyers and also for you journalists.”
