Platini: Euro 2020 Should be Hosted by Entire Europe

UEFA president Michel Platini signs autographs after the unveiling of his star on the Walk of Fame Sports in Sports Centre Wladyslawowo Cetniewo, near Gdansk, Poland, 22 June. EPA/BGNES

UEFA president Michel Platini has made the innovative proposal that Euro 2020 be hosted in about a dozen cities across the European continent.

During the last two decades, the UEFA European Football Championship has had a number of tandem hosts: current Euro 2012's Poland and Ukraine, as well as Euro 2008's Austria and Switzerland, and Euro 2000's Belgium and Netherlands.

At present countries who have expressed interest in hosting Euro 2020 are Turkey, as well as tandem Azerbaijan-Georgia, and trio Ireland-Scotland-Wales.

Platini's Saturday proposal is the first time a high-ranking official suggests that the prestigious tournament could be organized on a basis that is not country-centered.

"This is only an idea, but in December or January we have to make our final decision. The idea seems very appealing to me, especially given we will have the 60th anniversary of the tournament," said the UEFA president.

"We could organize the tournament in 12 or 13 cities spread out all over Europe," said Platini, adding he has officially addressed the proposal to UEFA's executive board.

The next European Football Championship, in 2016, will be hosted by France.

Euro 2012's final match, between the teams of Spain and Italy, will be played Sunday in Ukraine's capital Kiev.

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