Belgium confirms bid to host Euro 2020 matches
The Belgian football federation (URBSFA) confirmed on Thursday that Brussels will be officially presented as one of the candidate cities to host matches during Euro 2020. Federation president Francois De Keersmacker announced that a dossier had been passed onto governing body UEFA with the deadline for proposals set to expire on Friday. UEFA will announce the 13 cities set to play host to the tournament in September as president Michel Platini puts into place the unprecedented new format across the continent. The Belgian capital have offered to host four matches including the opening fixture as they push ahead with plans for a new stadium suitable for major competitions. On Wednesday, Prague and Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland withdrew from the race to stage matches. The Czech capital and two cities in Poland, Warsaw and Chorzow, were vying to become part of the 2020 championships. "The Czech football federation (FACR) has decided not to put forward Prague as a candidate to organise Euro 2020," a statement confirmed. Prague had been hoping to stage three group-stage matches and a quarter-final. The federation blamed the pull-out on city authorities' refusal to provide financial guarantees. "The mayor's decision means a loss to Prague and to the Czech Republic, but mostly to all the supporters of Czech football," FACR said. In its defence the Prague authorities on Tuesday had described FACR's Euro 2020 project as "incomplete". The Polish Football Federation later withdrew after rating their prospects of success with their two potential venues as "minimal".
