Government boost for Italy Euro 2016 bid

By Duncan Mackay

December 23 - The Government is set to give Italy’s bid to host the 2016 European Championships €25 million (£22 million) but have warned that local authorities must bankroll the rest of the money needed to upgrade the country’s stadiums in time for the tournament if the campaign is successful.

The Federal Council of the Italian Football Association (FIGC) has approved the 400-page bid document, prepared by Michael Uva and which must be presented to UEFA by February 15.

Under the plans, at least10 stadiums would be used to host matches and it is estimated that at least €400 million (£357 million) will be needed to get them ready in time.

Euro 2016 will expand from 16 teams to 24 playing in six groups of four.

The Italian bid is designed to use the tournament as a catalyst for major investment in building and upgrading stadiums around the country.

Stadium facilities in Italy have fallen far behind other major European footballing nations such as England, Germany and Spain since it last staged a major football tournament – the FIFA World Cup in 1990.

As part of the process, the Italian Government has passed a law through the Italian Parliament which makes it easier for clubs to fund new privately-owned stadiums.

With the new law, Italian clubs will be able to get loans at very favourable rates for new grounds.

Inter Milan have already found a site for a new stadium just 1.5 kilometres from San Siro along the Via Novara.

The model for their ground will be Bayern’s Munich’s Allianz Arena.

Giancarlo Abete, the President of FIGC, welcomed the new law but said that much work remained to be done if Italy was to defeat its rivals France and Turkey to host Euro 2016.

He said: ”The approval of the bill is important but not decisive.

“To win we need the support of the local authorities and relevant companies.”

Rocco Crimi, the Secretary to Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi with special responsibility for sport, said: ”The Government will support the bid but we expect all stakeholders to also give an effective contribution.”

UEFA is due to announce which country will host the tournament at a meeting in May 2010.

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