Wembley looking good to host Euro 2020 final, says FA chairman

David Bernstein, the Football Association's chairman, believes he is leaving the organisation in a strong bidding position to host the Euro 2020 final and semi-finals at Wembley when Uefa stages it for the first time as a multination tournament.

Bernstein has been informed that the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul represents the strongest rival bidder but the FA is "confident" that England will have an authentic chance when it comes to choosing the 15 host cities.

"I understand Turkey have a good chance of getting the final if they don't get the Olympic Games," Bernstein said. "We will put in two bids – one for the semi-final and final, and one for a package of earlier matches which would include England home matches being played at Wembley. The bids will go in alongside one another but we can't get both."

Adrian Bevington, the managing director of Club England, said: "What we do know is Uefa is very positive about Wembley, as we have had two Champions League finals [in three seasons]. We're confident we will be in a real mix to get it."

The FA has confirmed that Wembley will continue to host FA Cup semi-finals despite negative feedback from supporters. "We're contracted with Club Wembley members as part of the package they have," Bernstein said. "The days are gone when Wembley was used for one club match a year. Those days are long gone. Wembley is too big an asset, we need more matches played there. I know sometimes there are travelling issues but I think fans adore being at Wembley. Smaller clubs get there, when they might not get to a final, and it's a wonderful experience for them."

Bernstein, preparing for his handover with Greg Dyke, continued: "What we are disappointed about is that the FA Cup final has not been the last game of the season and that will change back again next year. For the final to be lodged in between other big matches doesn't help it."

The fixture calendar will not change, however, to accommodate a winter break, certainly not in the foreseeable future. "The issue hasn't actually come on to my agenda once," Bernstein said of his two and a half years in office. "It really hasn't been something. It's so far away, with so many hurdles to get over, it hasn't featured at all."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jun/03/euro-2020-david-bernstein-fa

 

So where is the rest of the tournament being held?

Heard it all before, propaganda for the bid. Euro 96 was a great tournament, but FIFA still shafted us over world cup bids. I don't expect to see another home tournament in my lifetime.

 

They are proposing that homes games are played in the home country, so if we get Ukraine, Russia and Portugal in a group its going to be alot of money in airfares, for me its not a tournament anymore just another competition