France will invest €100 million into football stadiums to boost the country’s bid to host Euro 2016, revealed junior sports minister Bernard Laporte.
French Football Federation (FFF) president Jean-Pierre Escalettes officially launched France's Euro 2016 campaign at FFF headquarters in Paris yesterday.
"We are to release €100 million for the stadiums, which shows the will of the government to support this candidacy," Laporte told reporters. “I am here to show the state is supporting the project. We must host such big events in France so that our country shines in the whole world."
Laporte also suggested that a joint bid with Italy could be a possibility were it to strengthen their cause. Italy themselves, and joint candidates Sweden and Norway have also said they will bid for Euro 2016, while Wales and Scotland dropped their plans to co-host the event earlier this week.
France hosted both the 1984 European championship and the 1998 World Cup but were beaten by London in their bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
