Polish PM spares minister over stadium farce

Football's world governing body FIFA ordered that the match originally scheduled for Oct. 16 should be played the next day after it was called off when rain in Warsaw turned the National Stadium pitch into what some called the "National Pool".

Earlier on Wednesday, Sports Minister Anna Mucha said she was ready to resign if needed because she felt politically responsible for the controversy surrounding the $550 million stadium built for Euro 2012.

"I deem accepting of the resignation as unjustified," Prime Minister Donald Tusk told a news conference. "There were too many hosts and nobody accepted the responsibility to take a final decision... there was a lack of imagination."

Tusk said the roof over the 58,000 capacity arena could not be closed during rainfall due to safety concerns.

Neither the teams nor FIFA wanted to close it when there was still time. But the arena owner, National Sports Centre (NSC), which is overseen by the Sports Ministry, should have been more insistent given the dire consequences of keeping the roof open.

Tusk said he wanted Mucha to tighten her grip over the NSC.

Local media reported the pitch was not as heavy as the one used for Euro 2012 matches, making it less able to absorb the heavy rainfall but Tusk rejected this as a significant factor.

The Group H game ended in a 1-1 draw but both managers lamented the effects the postponement had on their players.

Thousands of angry England fans complained they were unable to attend the rescheduled game because they could not afford to stay longer in Warsaw and reschedule their tickets home.

"I suffered as every other fan that evening," said Tusk, a passionate football enthusiast who still plays the game regularly.

The rescheduled match was played under the roof despite sunny weather and mostly clear skies.

Latest in
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep
Latest in News
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep