Turkey optimistic after submitting bid to host Euro 2020

Turkey has submitted a bid to UEFA to host the 2020 European Championship, the head of the country's football federation announced on Tuesday. Turkey is also bidding to stage the 2020 Olympics in Istanbul. The International Olympic Committee will vote on the 2020 Games in September 2013. UEFA said a hosting decision would be made in late 2013 or early 2014. UEFA will accept bids until May 2012. Two years ago, Turkey was edged out by France for hosting rights to the expanded 24-nation Euro 2016. Officials complained that UEFA President Michel Platini -- who is French and was not allowed to vote -- had favored his home country's winning campaign. There are concerns that bidding for Euro 2020 could jeopardize Turkey's chances of securing the 2020 Olympics. But officials for the Istanbul 2020 Games bid said they retain government support. The Olympic bid team said the Euro 2020 plan "does not change any aspect of our bid." "Turkey's prime minister, every level of government and every party is aligned behind the bid team and that unequivocal support will remain guaranteed throughout the bid process," a statement said. "Turkey has already guaranteed that if Istanbul is selected as the host city for the 2020 Olympic Games in September 2013, no other important national or international event will take place in Istanbul or its vicinity during that period." Yildirim Demiroren, head of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), said the government has also backed projects to speed up the construction of modern football stadiums in several cities and to improve transportation infrastructure between these cities. "We will make every effort to host the European Championship in Turkey," Demiroren said.