UEFA revealed that Euro 2020 will be held in 13 cities across Europe and the semifinals and final "will be played in the same stadium," according to Brian Homewood of REUTERS. UEFA Secretary General Gianni Infantino said that "no more than one venue per country would be permitted, no host nation would be guaranteed qualification" and that venues would be chosen in Sept. '14 (REUTERS, 1/25). The AP reported in an "effort to encourage smaller countries to join the project," the UEFA exec committee pledged to choose two stadiums holding as few as 30,000 spectators. Other stadiums "must have a 50,000 capacity, which at least 20 of UEFA's 53 member nations already have" (AP, 1/25).
FIGHT FOR THE FINAL: The BBC reported the FA has "already put forward" Wembley as a possible venue for the final. It expects to face rival bids from Berlin, Istanbul, Madrid and Rome. Istanbul is the favorite for the final, but "only if it loses its bid for the 2020 Olympics." UEFA President Michel Platini has already said that he would back the Turkish city, and he "confirmed his position again on Friday." Cardiff, Dublin and Glasgow "are all expected to bid to host group matches." The FA will also bid for group matches and quarterfinals "if its bid to host the final stages at Wembley is unsuccessful" (BBC, 1/25).
INTEREST IN SCOTLAND: In Glasgow, Craig Swan reported the Scottish FA is "staking a strong interest" to be part of the showpiece with Ireland and Wales also interested. Glasgow would have "a good case for inclusion as Hampden, Celtic Park and Ibrox all have capacities of at least 50,000." In an "added bonus," SFA Chair Campbell Ogilvie is on the working party, which is putting together the fine details of the Championship, and Scotland is "firmly in the running" (DAILY RECORD, 1/26).
EURO 2016 VENUES: UEFA confirmed the 10 venues for Euro 2016 in France. They are: Bordeaux, Lens, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris, Saint-Denis (Stade de France), Saint-Etienne and Toulouse (UEFA).
