France To Put 100 Mil. Euros In Stadiums For Euro

French federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes officially launched France`s Euro 2016 campaign at the FFF headquarters in Paris.

France are to invest 100 million euros in its soccer stadiums as the country bids to host Euro 2016, junior sports minister Bernard Laporte said on Thursday.

French federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes officially launched France's Euro 2016 campaign at the FFF headquarters in Paris.

"We are to release 100 million euros for the stadiums, which shows the will of the government to support this candidacy," Laporte told reporters.

"I am here to show the state is supporting the project. We must host such big events in France so that our country shines in the whole world."

France hosted the 1984 European championship and the 1998 World Cup, winning both events. They were beaten by London in their bid to hold the 2012 Olympic Games.

Italy and joint candidates Sweden and Norway have also said they will bid for Euro 2016. Wales and Scotland dropped their plans to co-host the event earlier this week because of the financial demands following the tournament's expansion from 16 to 24 teams.