23.04.2014 15:03 h

Football: Prague pulls out of Euro 2020 contention

Cech esce dal campo infortunato
Cech esce dal campo infortunato

Prague on Wednesday withdrew from the race to stage matches at Euro 2020, the Czech Football Federation (FACR) announced,

The Czech Republic capital was vying to become one of 13 different host cities for the 2020 championships.

"The FACR has decided not to put forward Prague as a candidate to organise Euro 2020," a statement confirmed.

Prague had been hoping to stage three first round matches and a quarter-final.

The federation blamed the pull-out on city authorities' refusal to provide financial guarantees.

"The mayor's decision means a loss to Prague and to the Czech Republic, but mostly to all the supporters of Czech football," FACR said.

In its defence the Prague authorities on Tuesday had described FACR's Euro 2020 project as "incomplete".

Euro 2020 bid dossiers must be submitted to UEFA by Friday with European football's ruling body set to announce the winners in September.