21 Mayıs 2013, Salı
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PLATINI: TURKEY GETS MY VOTE FOR 2020 EUROS

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  • Published:23 Mart 2012, Cuma
  • Updated:23 Mart 2012, Cuma

Speaking at a press conference following the , UEFA President and UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino responded to Prime Minister Tayyip ’s recent announcement that Turkey plans to bid to host the .

In a speech to delegates at the opening of the , said: "I would like to repeat the request to host the European Championship in Istanbul in 2020." UEFA President Platini responded to Erdoğan's announcement by stating, "Turkey had a strong bid in 2016 and I think they will be even stronger in 2020. Now the only small issue I have in respect to this is that in 2020 Istanbul is also a candidate for the so if they have the Olympics and the Euros it's maybe a bit of a handful," Platini told reporters after UEFA's congress.

"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 Istanbul, because I believe Turkey should host the Euros."

IMPOSSIBLE TASK

"Honestly, if Istanbul already has the Olympics before then I won't vote for Turkey because it is impossible to have the Olympic Games and the Euros in the same month in the same city. That's my position," Platini said.

PRAISE FOR TFF'S MATCH-FIXING RULING

When reminded that individuals from other teams besides Fenerbahçe are also being charged with match-fixing, Platini stated, "If they didn't do anything wrong, then they have no reason to be concerned. We are not saying anything in regards to Turkish football in general. We greatly respect Turkish football. They have great teams, players and fans. We are not taking any action against Turkish football. We simply did not allow one Turkish team to compete in the Champions League. Instead, we accepted the team that came in second."

THE PRIME MINISTER IS RIGHT, BUT…
UEFA President expressed that he believes Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's view that individuals, rather than clubs, should face punishment for match-fixing, however the system has been like this for years, he said. "It has been like this for decades. The disciplinary committee is an independent committee. I feel the same way. If a club chairman commits an infraction then the team should not be punished it. Prime Minister Erdoğan is right; however the system has been like this for years. The club pays the price."