EURO 2016 steering group meets in Bordeaux
Thursday, October 23, 2014
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"Superb moments are ahead," said UEFA President Michel Platini after the UEFA EURO 2016 steering group agreed to contribute an additional €20m to the host cities.
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The UEFA EURO 2016 steering group, meeting in Bordeaux, endorsed a financial agreement between the host cities and UEFA that means an additional contribution from the governing body of around €20m.
"We will have a great EURO 2016 – superb moments are ahead. Today we worked well and agreed on everything," said UEFA President Michel Platini after the meeting. Also in attendance were French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, Alain Juppé, who is mayor of Bordeaux and president of the Club des sites – the host cities' association – EURO 2016 SAS chairman Jacques Lambert, French Football Federation (FFF) president Noël Le Graët and government members Patrick Kanner and Thierry Braillard.
On the eve of Thursday's meeting, Mr Platini, joined by FC Girondins de Bordeaux coach Willy Sagnol, visited the new Stade de Bordeaux, which is still under construction and due to be open in April next year.
"It is a gesture from UEFA following our request and is designed to facilitate the social acceptability of the event," said Mr Juppé of UEFA's backing. "The ten cities are full of enthusiasm and approved this proposal unanimously. I wish to stress that beyond this €20m, UEFA will rent the stadiums throughout the competition and has decided to allocate 20,000 tickets to underprivileged young people. The help given will probably amount to around €50m."
The financial package agreed in Bordeaux will be released in two instalments; the first will be available immediately and the second after the tournament itself. "Any potential misunderstandings have been resolved," said Mr Platini. "Everything is fine and we are all satisfied. I am very happy, particularly because not since 1998, when I was co-president of the organising committee of the World Cup in France, have we felt the love and desire that exists for UEFA EURO 2016."
Alain Giresse, an iconic former player for Bordeaux and ex-international team-mate of the UEFA President, was also in attendance. He will head up the Bordeaux steering group established for UEFA EURO 2016 from December.
