ISTANBUL, March 23: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan began the race to host the European Championship in 2020 on Thursday when he said his country would like to stage the event for the first time.

In a speech to delegates at the opening of the UEFA Congress, Erdogan said: “I would like to repeat the request to host the European Championship in Istanbul in 2020.”

The proposal comes as a blow to Istanbul’s 2020 Olympic candidacy as bidding for two major events which are usually held only weeks apart is unlikely to be successful.

UEFA President Michel Platini questioned Turkey’s ability to host both events in the same year.

“I heard what the prime minister said and we will see what countries present bids. Turkey had a strong bid in 2016 and I think they will be even stronger in 2020,” Platini said.

“Now the only small issue I have in respect to this is that in 2020 Istanbul is also a candidate for the Olympics so if they have the Olympics and the Euros it’s maybe a bit of a handful.

“If Istanbul does not get the Olympic Games the Turkish bid will be stronger and one that I will support and one that I will vote for because I believe Turkey should host a Euros.”—Reuters