Platini has lost the plot

[the_flight_of_the_magpie]

Euro 2020 could be staged in '12 or 13 countries' says Michael Platini

The Uefa president Michel Platini has revealed the concept of one or two countries staging major tournaments may be abandoned for Euro 2020.
Turkey had been favourites to host the event but their bid has hit difficulties due to a desire to host the Olympic Games in Istanbul in the same year.
And Platini has confirmed a radical alternative is now being considered.
"The Euros in 2020 could be held all over Europe," said Platini. "It could be either one country and 12 stadiums or one stadium in 12 or 13 cities."
Platini confirmed a final decision would be taken in January or February next year.
"This matter will be discussed very seriously," he added.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/...-12-13-countries-michel-platini?newsfeed=true

 

[Big Sam]

Showing his anti-British bias again. The other bid is from Ireland/Wales/Scotland. They'll do a great job but not too much oil money there so I guess they won't get it.

 

[langpark]

Judging by this article, it seems a decision has already been made and that the tournament will be held across several countries...


http://www.soccerway.com/news/2012/September/24/fa-push-for-wembley-as-euro-2020-final-host/

 

[Big Sam]

Looks like this is a goer:

Euro 2020 to take place across Europe

December 7, 2012 - 12:32PM

Stephanie Pertuiset

UEFA's executive committee has given the green light to holding the European championships in 2020 across the continent.

Former French captain Michel Platini, who is president of UEFA, first mooted the idea of holding the tournament in a number of cities earlier this year, as a way of avoiding high costs at a time of dire financial constraints in many countries.

"UEFA Euro 2020 will be staged across the continent, in various major cities, following a decision taken today," said the ruling body's secretary-general Gianni Infantino, calling the tournament in eight years' time "A Euro for Europe".

"The response has been extremely positive from all the national associations," he added, apart from Turkey.

But there was widespread disbelief among many fans on the micro-blogging site Twitter, in particular over the potential cost of travelling to watch games in a number of countries.

"Meanwhile, the chief execs of (low cost airlines) Ryanair and Easyjet are jumping for joy," noted one user.

A decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup has already caused disquiet among fans, especially a plan to host the finals during the Gulf winter months - mid-season for European leagues.

Infantino said he was not in a position to say how many countries and cities would be involved but if the project was ready in January, it would be rubber-stamped then or at the executive committee meeting on March 23.

Cities were likely to be chosen in early 2014 - six years before the start of the tournament, he added.

Turkey, which has put itself forward as a candidate for 2020 alongside Azerbaijan and Georgia and a three-way bid from the Republic of Ireland, Wales and Scotland, was the only country opposed to the project.

Istanbul is also a candidate to host the Olympic Games in the same year, although the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said that having one country host two major events so close to each other is against its rules.

FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke, speaking in a personal capacity, said last week that he failed to grasp the concept of a continent-wide tournament, saying it would destroy the competition.

Platini said before the eve of this year's Euro finals that the 60th anniversary of the competition, which is held every four years, could involve "12 or 13 cities across Europe" and that most of the 53 UEFA federations were in favour.

Central to his argument was that it would make organisation easier, after serious concerns about cost overruns and infrastructure delays in this year's hosts Poland and particularly Ukraine.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/...ross-europe-20121207-2azh3.html#ixzz2EKV2L85H

Great, so now European and Global football fans will have a 6 year gap between genuine tournaments held in a decent country i.e. between Russia 2018 and Euro 2024.

The idea that it helps host countries save money is also a fallacy. England, France, Spain, and Germany could host the damn thing tomorrow without spending a thing.

And how's it going to work? Knowing UEFA, to maximise revenue they'll pick the 12-13 biggest stadiums in Europe.

So off the top of my head: Wembley, Camp Nou, Bernabeu, OT, Cardiff, Berlin, St Denis, San Siro, Moscow, Dortmund, Rome, Munich, Kiev.

Won't it be fantastic for spectators and players to travel from say Kiev to Madrid in the space of 5 days?

What a dumbarse idea.

 

[langpark]

Bravo to Turkey shock for opposing it! A nation that shouldn't even be in it has to be the one to talk sense into us! Shame on Europe!

Great, so now European and Global football fans will have a 6 year gap between genuine tournaments held in a decent country i.e. between Russia 2018 and Euro 2024.

The idea that it helps host countries save money is also a fallacy. England, France, Spain, and Germany could host the damn thing tomorrow without spending a thing.

I would also add Italy to that list.

Where does it mention anything about 2024 in the article? Or are you assuming this will be a one-off?...

 

[Big Sam]

I read it in another article. It's a one-off supposedly to celebrate Euro's 60th anniversary. But given this is UEFA...

It looks like 12 venues will host 3 group games and a knockout game while one venue will host both semis and the final. Most are predicting Wembley will be that venue.

 

[nibbs]

platini is a racist

 

[WireMan]

To be fair the last comp in Poland and the Ukraine was over a massive distance.

A group in Manchester, Dublin, Glasgow and Paris would not cover much more distance than one in Kiev and Donetsk.

 

[Tommy Smith]

And now UEFA have once again gone soft on racism. The 2018 World Cup in Russia is just going to be one giant race riot. Don't go there if you're black.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...s-action-over-serbia-england-violence?cc=3436

 

[Big Sam]

The 2018 World Cup in Russia is just going to be one giant race riot. Don't go there if you're black.

Apparently Zenit have never had a black player because the supporters would riot if they signed one. Looking forward to FIFA President Platini's excuses in 6 years time when an African side has to play in St. Petersburg.

 

[Tommy Smith]

He'll probably ban Ghana from future World Cups due to their players obstructing coins and flares with their heads intended for the football field.

 

[Tommy Smith]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7398400.stm

Unfortunately the club also have a hard core of racists among their supporters. Zenit are the only club in Russia never to have signed a black player, and their fans were accused of racist taunts during the Uefa Cup win over Marseille earlier this season.

Marseille defender Ronald Zubar said: "They threw a banana at us and made monkey sounds."

Manager Dick Advocaat has even admitted that the fans' attitude has affected his transfer policy.

"The problem is our fans," he says. "I would be happy to sign anyone but the fans don't like black players.

"I don't understand how they could pay so much attention to skin colour. For me, there's no difference between white, black or red.

"But the fans are the most important thing Zenit have. That's why, in future, I have to ask them outright how they'll react if we sign a dark-skinned player.
"If the fans don't agree with me, I won't do it. I won't buy a player who won't be accepted by the fans."

Absolutely disgraceful. What a great World Cup we have awaiting us.
FIFA are just an absolute disgrace. As bad as any corrupt tyrannical government in the world.

 

[Big Sam]

More from Zenit's fans...

Zenit St Petersburg fan group warns against buying black or gay players

• Zenit fan club Landscrona writes open letter to club
• Group denies racism but wants to uphold 'tradition'

guardian.co.uk, Monday 17 December 2012 15.02 GMT

The largest fan group of Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg has demanded the club refrain from buying black and gay players.

"We're not racists but we see the absence of black players at Zenit as an important tradition," Zenit fan club Landscrona said in a letter, called the "Selection 12 manifesto", posted on its website on Monday.

"It would allow Zenit to maintain the national identity of the club, which is the symbol of St Petersburg."

Zenit have been the only top club in Russia to have never signed an African player while the northern city of St Petersburg is known to have a strong right-wing nationalist influence.

The fans said they want more home-grown or European players in the team. "We only want players from other brotherly Slav nations, such as Ukraine and Belarus as well as from the Baltic states and Scandinavia. We have the same mentality and historical and cultural background as these nations," the letter said.

They also expressed their opposition to having "sexual minorities" in the team. Several prominent black players have turned down lucrative offers from the wealthy club over the past 12 months after receiving death threats from Zenit fans. A Zenit spokesman said on Monday the club would not comment on the fans' letter.

The former Zenit and Russia striker Alexander Panov said the fans have no right to influence the club's selection policy. "If we don't have enough good players from St Petersburg, then what should the club do?" he said.

"All clubs around the world have black players. If they are absent from Zenit – it's Zenit's problem. I don't think fans should demand the club buy or don't buy certain players. The fans have the right to go to the stadium or stay home."

Zenit have been in turmoil for the past few months with several senior players unhappy after the wealthy club splashed out more than £60m on the Brazil forward Hulk and Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel just before the transfer deadline.

Zenit demoted the Russia captain Igor Denisov to the reserve team in September after he refused to play, issuing an ultimatum to renegotiate his contract in line with what Hulk was making. Denisov was later allowed to rejoin the first team after making an apology.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/17/zenit-st-petersburg-fan-group