Turkey lost out by one vote to France for Euro 2016 and Platini, speaking here at the UEFA Congress, said the country deserved to have another chance.

It would be impossible, however, to host both events in the same year and the Turkish authorities needed to make up their minds which way to go.

"If Istanbul does not get the Olympic Games, the Turkish bid will be a stronger bid and one that I will support and one that I will vote for," he said.

"Last time I did not vote, but this time I will vote because I believe Turkey should host a Euros."

But Platini made it clear at a post-Congress press conference that any Turkish campaign for the Euros would be thrown out if it coincided with an Olympics bid.

"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," he said.

"Honestly, if Istanbul already has the Olympics then I won't vote for Turkey because it is impossible to have the Olympic Games and the Euros in the same month in the same city.

"That's my position."

Next week UEFA opens the bidding process for Euro 2020, with a decision on hosting due to be taken at the end of 2103 or early 2014.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chooses its 2020 host in Buenos Aires on September 7 next year with Doha, Madrid, Tokyo and Baku also in the running.


Embarrassed Turkish Olympic officials went into trouble-shooting mode after being caught on the hop by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (pictured).

The Turkish Government has long backed an Olympics and Paralympics over the European Championships but Erdoğan surprised everyone by telling the UEFA Congress Turkey would like to stage the latter for the first time.

"I would like to repeat the request to host the European Championship in Istanbul in 2020," he said.

A quick counter-statement by Olympic organisers attempted to redress the balance by insisting nothing had changed in terms of policy.

"Turkey's President, Prime Minister and Sports Minister have repeatedly reiterated that Istanbul 2020 is a strategic national priority, and a personal passion," a statement said.

"Every level of Government and every party is aligned behind this bid: the Olympic and Paralympic Games are seen as a crucial stimulus for Turkey's national development strategy.

"Should Turkey bid for Euro 2020, that level of commitment will remain guaranteed."

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