In Exchange it finances the bulk of the organization

Seven votes to six: the France won narrowly against the Turkey, Friday in Geneva, in the designation of the host country of the Euro 2016 by UEFA, the Italy having been eliminated in the first round. Michel Platini, the French President of the European Confederation of football, it is the presence of President Nicolas Sarkozy that "balance" to the French bid.

After the announcement of the decision, Senes Erzik, a Turkish Vice-President of UEFA, has also criticized Michel Platini a lack of fair play, with the French President in each of the members of the Executive Committee. What would not have done to his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, who had made him also Switzerland travel. A bitter reaction which contrasts with the relative resignation of Giancarlo Abete, President of the Italian Federation of football. Ironically, the latter just recalled that Italian football is consoled the field with the titles of champion of the world (obtained in 2006 in Germany against the French) and winner of the League of champions (with Inter Milan).

Economic potential

"Perhaps after the Ukraine, it would be better having a stable country", said Michel Platini, confirming that one of the strengths of the France was its economic potential ("Les Echos" from May 28). A potential benefit to UEFA, which will collect all commercial revenues of the events: TV rights, marketing and ticketing rights. In Exchange, it finances the bulk of the organization. In 2008, Switzerland, and Austria, the competition had cost 600 million, and generated turnover EUR 1.25 billion. For 2016, UEFA hopes to achieve the double, or about 2.5 billion euros. Nothing that the ticketing Jean-Pierre Escalettes, President of the French football Federation (FFF), hope a doubling of revenues.

Side investments, Noël Le Graët, Vice President of the FFF in charge of Economic Affairs, said that at least 1.7 billion will be invested in the construction or renovation of 12 stages. Stages that will be the leveraging of clubs for the next 10 years.

In reality, the obtaining of the Euro will facilitate completion of projects already launched, for several years for some. A law should be passed which would reduce administrative facilities and review of the multiple action times. The momentum created by the event will also raise some political obstacles that emerged in Lyon and Bordeaux.

What delighted Frédéric Thiriez, President of the League of professional football. However, it is first attached to the global economic contribution of Euro 2016 for the France: "these 12 stages, is 15,000 jobs new between now and 2014, and 4,500 jobs during the operation." The three French giants of MGB, Bouygues, Vinci and Eiffage have not failed Friday to welcome the event.

Traditionally, the home of a major global sporting event boosts the economy. In 1998, the World Cup, which reached a net result of EUR 44 million, brought 2.7 million supporters. The 24 teams in Euro 2016 are 2.5 million spectators are expected. The economic benefits are however to be taken with caution, because the impact on tourism is relative. The influx of football fans often frightens ordinary tourists, who are numerous in France, first world tourist destination. In June and July 1998, hotels two and three stars Paris had registered a decline of 10 of their attendance.