Platini Floats Europe-Wide 2020 Euros

Uefa president Michel Platini has floated the idea of playing the 2020 European Championships in various countries across the continent.

The Frenchman made the radical remark ahead of Sunday’s 2012 decider to be played between Spain and Italy in Kiev.

The proposal would see matches scattered throughout “12 to 13 cities” around Europe and could be made official in December or January, with talk of support for the concept.

The discussion has come about with Turkey being the favourites to win the rights to the 2020 event, however Istanbul is also in the running to host the Olympics in the same calendar year which poses many problems.

“It could be either one country and 12 stadiums or one stadium in 12 or 13 cities. This idea will be discussed very seriously,” Platini said.

“We will have a great debate about 2020 and discuss the pros and cons, then we will make a decision. I think it is a great idea.

“We are not going to wait until we know whether Turkey are going to get the Olympics. It creates a problem for us. We do have other candidates. Everyone has the possibility to host it.

“It is easier to go from London to Paris or Berlin than Cardiff to Gdansk. It would be four games per venue. It is a great debate. The political decision needs to be made. We wouldn’t have to build stadiums or airports. That could be important in an economic crisis.”