FA Launches Euro 2020 Bid Along with Home Nations

The Football Associations of England, denture Scotland and Wales have submitted applications to host matches at the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, buy cialis which is the first of its kind to be played across the continent.

UEFA opened the bidding process for countries to either host one of the 12 group stage packages or to host the semi-finals and final. Associations can apply for more than one but cannot be awarded both packages.

The tournament will be played in 13 cities across the continent and it is predicted that 30 cities will formally submit bids to UEFA on Friday, with a decision due in September.

Wembley put forward

The English FA have put forward Wembley Stadium in London and have expressed an interest in both packages offered by UEFA.

FA General Secretary Alex Horne pointed to Wembley hosting two Champions League finals in four years as proof they are ready to host matches at the Euros.

“We are bidding for either of the two packages available and with our recent experience of hosting two UEFA Champions League Finals in the last four years we believe that Wembley Stadium and London represent a strong bid for UEFA to consider,” said Horne.

“We recognise UEFA is considering many strong bids from a number of candidate cities and we welcome the opportunity to put forward our bid.

Bale supports FAW bid

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has also put Cardiff’s 74,000-capacity Millennium Stadium forward to host either three group games plus either a last 16 or quarter final match.

Welsh international and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale backed the bid and said that nothing compares to the atmosphere generated in the Millennium Stadium.

Bale said: “This could be the beginning of a great period for Welsh international football. I believe we have a real opportunity of qualifying for the 2016 European Championship Finals in France. It would then be an unbelievable experience to play in the 2020 European Championship finals in my home city of Cardiff.

“I have been fortunate to play in some of the world’s greatest stadia but nothing matches the atmosphere and passion generated by the Millennium Stadium. These are exciting times for Welsh football and I’m really proud to offer my full support to the FAW’s UEFA EURO 2020 bid.”

The FAW confirmed that they had the support of the government, Cardiff council, the stadium and operators of all the major travel links in the city.

Jonathan Ford, CEO of the FAW added: “The FAW is thrilled to submit its UEFA EURO 2020 bid and we believe that we have a strong and compelling proposition. The Millennium Stadium, with a capacity of almost 75,000 as well as 100 hospitality boxes, would generate a significant financial contribution for UEFA.”

Glasgow confident in bid

And finally, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) has named Glasgow’s Hampden Park in their bid to be considered for a group stage and quarter final match.

The SFA admitted it would be unlikely that four bids from the UK and Ireland would be successful but CEO Stewart Regan pointed to the country’s infrastructure and tourism as reason to appoint Glasgow.

The city will host this year’s Commonwealth Games and Regan commented: “It is highly unlikely that there will be four winning bids from the UK and Ireland.

“Our job is to try to convince UEFA that Glasgow should be one of the preferred options for the UK and Ireland zone, if there is to be such a thing.

“Our view is that we have a compelling bid that proves that the Scottish FA can put on major events with its partners.

“We have demonstrated that Scotland has a lot to offer, not just in terms of tourism but in terms of infrastructure and we can stage major events, and that if there is to be a safe pair of hands, the Scottish FA would be viewed that way by UEFA and its executive committee.”

The Scottish government and Glasgow City Council have thrown their weight behind the bid.

{jcomments on}