The construction of the Football Tatran Arena (FTA) in Prešov may be suspended, and the organization of next year’s European Championship in under-21 football (EURO U21) is also at risk. Prešov Mayor František Oľha announced this at Thursday’s press conference.
Over 12,500 tickets were sold in the first 24 hours. For those interested, tickets covering about one third of the total capacity of the stadiums are still available. In addition to the current pre-sale phase, another one will start next week.
According to him, the reasons are politically motivated checks and a criminal complaint filed by city deputy Martin Eštočák. He claims that he has not filed any criminal complaint. He wants to defend himself against the charges.
According to the mayor, Eštočák is sabotaging the project by submitting proposals to the Public Procurement Office (ÚVO) or the prosecutor’s office.
“At the time when we have the last four months to complete the construction, we have several inspections here and the employees have to go to the investigators,” said Oľha, saying that they are under extreme pressure.
“It’s fine to submit initiatives, but if they come only because someone is dealing with his political ambitions, then that person is risking money from public sources,” he said. He estimates potential damages at 10 to 15 million euros.
According to the mayor, the alleged criminal report contains false information about the embezzlement of money by city employees. As he stated, even if this does not happen and the checks do not bring anything new, these are serious allegations that need to be investigated.
“I will have to somehow suspend the construction and ask for a review of all the facts. I will ask for an in-depth review and until it is completed, I will advise the FTA executive not to sign any more change letters.” added the mayor. In this context, he announced the convening of an extraordinary meeting of the city council. FTA manager Rastislav Mochnacký considers the submitted proposals to be another attack on the stadium.
Eštočák responded that he did not file any criminal complaint and that the mayor is deliberately lying. He is also considering legal action, considering it defamation and damage to his name. According to his own words, he only submitted an initiative to the ÚVO in order to check the amendments, as a result of which the price for construction increased.
EŠTOČÁK CLAIMS THAT THE MAYOR IS LYING
“I reject the claims that I should be responsible for suspending construction or not organizing EURO U21 in Prešov. Mayor Oľha falsely accused me in front of the whole of Slovakia despite the fact that the submission was unsigned, that is, legally qualified as anonymous.
The mayor knew that it was anonymous and called a press conference where he publicly lied and insulted me rudely, they grossly violated my rights. I consider this action of his to be amateurish and unworthy of the mayor of the third largest city, with the aim of discrediting me,” he stated for TASR.
The construction of the new football stadium began in July 2023. It was originally supposed to cost around 21 million euros, currently it is around 24 million euros. The Prešov self-governing region, the city of Prešov, the Slovak Football Association and the Sports Support Fund participate in the financing.
Completion of the construction is planned for February 2025. In the same year, the EURO U21 is to be held in several Slovak cities.
