Platini backs Turkey’s bid to host Euro 2020March 23, 2012 - 11:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - UEFA president Michel Platini said he would vote for Turkey to host Euro 2020, but only if Istanbul fails to win the right to stage that year's Olympics. In a speech to delegates at the opening of the UEFA Congress, former footballer Erdogan said: "I would like to repeat the request to host the European Championship in Istanbul in 2020." The proposal comes as a blow to Istanbul's 2020 Olympic candidacy as bidding for two major events which are usually held only weeks apart is unlikely to be successful. But Platini questioned Turkey's ability to host both events in the same year, although he added that if Istanbul failed to win the Olympics he would back them personally. "I heard what the prime minister said and we will see what countries present bids. Turkey had a strong bid in 2016 and I think they will be even stronger in 2020, " the Frenchman said. "If Istanbul does not get the Olympic Games the Turkish bid will be a stronger bid and one that I will support and one that I will vote for. Last time (for 2016) I did not vote, but this time I will vote for , because I believe Turkey should host a Euros." The IOC will elect the winning bid for the 2020 Games in September next year with Qatar's Doha, Madrid, Tokyo and Azerbaijan's Baku also in the running, Reuters reported. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |