Italy plays 'favoritism' card in its Euro bid
Source: Agencies |
April 15, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
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ITALY is counting on UEFA president Michel Platini's professionalism preventing any favoritism in the race to host the 2016 European Championship.
Along with Italy, Platini's native France and Turkey are also bidding for the 24-team tournament, with the host set to be chosen on May 28 in Geneva.
A UEFA delegation wrapped up a two-day visit to Italy on Tuesday with a government reception at Palazzo Chigi, which houses the office of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi.
"I think Platini is a great manager and UEFA president, and as UEFA's president he should want to make sure that the choice is made in the interests of the organization he's in charge of," Italian football federation president Giancarlo Abete said.
"We have two valid opponents - France and Turkey - that each present different characteristics. (France) has a lot of tradition - just like Italy - and Turkey is a country that wants to organize an international event to improve its integration with Europe. But Italy has its cards to play and that's what we're doing."
Italy has not hosted a major football tournament since the 1990 World Cup, and hosting the Euros would help the country renovate many of its dilapidated stadiums. Concerns in Italy include fan violence and the ongoing trial related to the 2006 match-fixing scandal, which is threatening to explode again.
The UEFA delegation was led by Gilberto Madail, the chairman of body's national team competitions committee.
"We're still in the evaluation phase of the dossier, but the meeting was positive and we'll be able to make more considerations after May 15 when UEFA publishes its evaluation report," Abete added.
Along with Italy, Platini's native France and Turkey are also bidding for the 24-team tournament, with the host set to be chosen on May 28 in Geneva.
A UEFA delegation wrapped up a two-day visit to Italy on Tuesday with a government reception at Palazzo Chigi, which houses the office of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi.
"I think Platini is a great manager and UEFA president, and as UEFA's president he should want to make sure that the choice is made in the interests of the organization he's in charge of," Italian football federation president Giancarlo Abete said.
"We have two valid opponents - France and Turkey - that each present different characteristics. (France) has a lot of tradition - just like Italy - and Turkey is a country that wants to organize an international event to improve its integration with Europe. But Italy has its cards to play and that's what we're doing."
Italy has not hosted a major football tournament since the 1990 World Cup, and hosting the Euros would help the country renovate many of its dilapidated stadiums. Concerns in Italy include fan violence and the ongoing trial related to the 2006 match-fixing scandal, which is threatening to explode again.
The UEFA delegation was led by Gilberto Madail, the chairman of body's national team competitions committee.
"We're still in the evaluation phase of the dossier, but the meeting was positive and we'll be able to make more considerations after May 15 when UEFA publishes its evaluation report," Abete added.
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