Swiss to propose Basel as Euro 2020 co-host

The St. Jakob Park stadium already hosted matches at the 1954 World Cup and Euro 2008, which Switzerland co-hosted with Austria (AP/Gaetan Bally)

BASEL, Switzerland — The Swiss Football Association says it will propose Basel to UEFA as one of the 13 host cities for the 2020 European Championship.

The St. Jakob Park stadium already hosted matches at the 1954 World Cup and Euro 2008, which Switzerland co-hosted with Austria.

UEFA set its 54 member federations a deadline of next Wednesday to submit a venue for President Michel Platini’s favoured multi-national tournament project.

With its current capacity of around 38,000 seats, Basel’s stadium is eligible to host a package of three group matches plus a last-16 knockout match.

UEFA has said two of the 13 venues to be chosen next September can have a minimum 30,000 capacity.

UEFA also suggested that Euro 2020 should encourage smaller member countries to develop a new national stadium.

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