Advertisement
FAI CEO John Delaney address the AGM at the Arklow Bay Hotel. INPHO/Donall Farmer

FAI to bid for Euro 2020 games

Germany reckon they deserve the 2024 one, meanwhile.

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland have today confirmed that they will make a bid to host games in the 2020 European Championships.

UEFA chief has plans to spread the tournament across the continent, with several cities to be chosen.

FAI chief John Delaney was speaking today at the Association’s AGM in Wicklow when he indicated the proposal would be financially viable in seven years’ time, according to RTÉ Sport.

The FAI have cancelled a press conference which was scheduled for today.

Meanwhile, the German football federation president Woflgang Niersbach says Germany are considering a bid to host the European Championships in 2024.

In an interview published today, Niersbach told Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that Germany would consider bidding for the tournament if they are not chosen to host the final phase — the semi-finals and final — of the Europe-wide 2020 competition.

“If we look at the European map, we can say with assurance — and not arrogance — that we have the ability to organise such a complex tournament,” he said.

However, any such bid would be dependent on Germany’s level of participation in the hosting of the 2020 tournament, which will take place across 13 countries.

“UEFA will announce the 13 host cities in September 2014…Thereafter we will be able to decide what to do,” added Niersbach. “Should we relinquish our plan to host the semi-finals and final (in 2020) in order to host the whole tournament in 2024?”

Germany last hosted a tournament at the 2006 World Cup but have not hosted a Euros since 1988… and that one went quite well.

-additional reporting AFP

Snapshot: Liam Miller is facing his old club in Sydney today

Interview: Sheridan urges more Irish players to go further afield

Close
11 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fionn Ó Deá
    Favourite Fionn Ó Deá
    Report
    Jul 20th 2013, 4:56 PM

    Hopefully we get a few games in the Aviva, would be great to see. I’d really like to see us host the under 21 incarnation on our own some day, it’s entirely realistic if you look at the countries that typically host it.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Keogh
    Favourite David Keogh
    Report
    Jul 20th 2013, 11:00 PM

    Can someone with a decent amount of knowledge on this please explain why the tournament will be played through several different countries? Surely all the travel won’t do any favours to the players and as a result will have a negative effect on their performances?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Leads Are Weak
    Favourite The Leads Are Weak
    Report
    Jul 20th 2013, 11:33 PM

    Sepp Blatter – “I likes money. Moneys is good.”

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute joe o shea
    Favourite joe o shea
    Report
    Jul 21st 2013, 12:48 AM

    its billed as a “once off event” UEFA came up with this idea as they do not want Turkey to host Euro 2020 as Istanbul is bidding for Olympics as well (just don’t want to admit it) so they came up with this idea. Each group will have 2 or 3 cities “close to each other”

    7
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Holmes
    Favourite George Holmes
    Report
    Jul 21st 2013, 1:26 AM

    Blatter is a complete wankr that’s why.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mar
    Favourite Mar
    Report
    Jul 20th 2013, 9:23 PM

    They can’t even run their own organisation never mind be trusted to run a major event.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Leads Are Weak
    Favourite The Leads Are Weak
    Report
    Jul 20th 2013, 11:14 PM

    There’s two decent stadiums in the entire country (in the same city) and they even f***ed up that up.

    Its 3/4 of a stadium!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Gill
    Favourite Rob Gill
    Report
    Jul 21st 2013, 3:01 PM

    both decent stadia are 3/4 finished!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Billy Nomates
    Favourite Billy Nomates
    Report
    Jul 21st 2013, 11:11 AM

    We could be like Qatar, minus the bribes

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger O'Brien
    Favourite Ger O'Brien
    Report
    Jul 21st 2013, 9:19 AM

    I’d say there is a chance the bid would be successful. UEFA were quite satisfied with how the hosting of the 2011 Europa League Final went, so there is definitely a precedent when it comes to running big matches.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Barron
    Favourite Robert Barron
    Report
    Jul 21st 2013, 5:12 PM

    Ireland, Scotland and Wales should do one together called the Celtic World Cup

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.