The French football federation launched its bid to host the 2016 European Championships.
“We are now officially candidates to host the 2016 Euros,” French federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes told a news conference.
Italy’s federation said last week it was interested in hosting the 2016 championship after losing out to Poland and Ukraine for the 2012 tournament. Scotland and Wales abandoned plans for a joint bid, but Sweden and Norway are said to be still considering a joint bid.
France won the last two major tournaments it hosted – the 1998 World Cup and 1984 European Championships.
Junior sports minister Bernard Laporte confirmed that the government would invest €100m in its football stadiums.
“We are to release €100 million for the stadiums, which shows the will of the government to support this candidacy,” Laporte told reporters.
“I am here to show the state is supporting the project. We must host such big events in France so that our country shines in the whole world.”
