By Mark Baber
July 22 – German Football Federation (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach says Germany are considering a bid to host the European Championships in 2024 and doesn’t rule out a personal bid for the UEFA presidency if it becomes vacant.
In an interview with Suddeutsche Zeitung he said Germany will consider bidding for Euro2024 if they are not chosen to host the final phase – the semi-finals and final – of the 2020 competition, saying “UEFA will announce the 13 host cities in September 2014… Thereafter we will be able to decide what to do.”
Germany hosted the World Cup in 2006 but last hosted the Euros in 1988.
Asked about the UEFA presidency, Niersbach, a friend of current President Michel Platini, said: “Things must be taken step-by-step. I think we will know by the time of the UEFA-meeting in September in Dubrovnik how things stand with FIFA and what Michel’s ambitions are. Then we will have a clearer picture and will be able to be more precise.”
The 62-year old added, “It is an honour that my name is mentioned in this connection. But I don’t bother myself about it for a moment.”
The post of UEFA President would be free if Platini were to succeed Joseph Blatter, with Niersbach suggesting a bid by Platini was more likely than not.
Blatter is to finally decide whether to stand for another term by the FIFA Congress in 2014.
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