вторник, 13 марта 2012 г.

UEFA: Platini didn't 'promise' Euro 2020 to Turkey

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA dismissed reports that its President Michel Platini promised Turkey it will host the 2020 European Championship.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Football Federation said on Friday it will consider bidding for Euro 2020 depending on whether Istanbul makes the shortlist for the 2020 Olympics.

UEFA said "unfounded statements" appeared in Turkish media suggesting Platini assured Turkish football officials they would win with their fourth successive bid.

UEFA said the Euro 2020 bidding process hasn't started, nor a timetable agreed.

Ilker Ugur, head of the TFF's international events department, said by telephone that "it is the TFF's main goal to host the Euros."

Ugur, however, said the federation has not received any invitation from UEFA to bid for 2020, and preferred to wait and see Istanbul's fate for the 2020 Olympics.

Turks believe bidding for both events might increase the financial burden and reduce their chances.

Turkish officials were angered two years ago when UEFA's executive committee voted 7-6 for France to host Euro 2016.

Platini didn't vote, but Turkey believed he favored his home country in what became a politicized election.

France President Nicolas Sarkozy, who opposes Turkey joining the European Union, made a key speech immediately before the vote in Geneva.

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AP writer Selcan Hacaoglu in Ankara contributed to this report.

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