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Tuesday Kickoff: Germany to bid for Euro 2024; Bayern target Sterling; and more

GermanyCelebratesGoal1-Scotland2014-Euro2016 (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Germany’s plans to host the Euro 2024 tournament are moving full speed ahead.

The German Football Federation (DFB) agreed a deal with the FA to allow Wembley Stadium to host the semifinals and finals of the pan-European Euro 2020, with the idea that Germany would have England’s support to host four years later.

DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach said at a press conference on Tuesday morning that Germany’s candidacy would be boosted by the modern stadia in the country, and not needing to build new venues as they did for the 2006 World Cup.

“The most ambitious goal is certainly to bring the European Championship (to Germany) in 2024,” Niersbach said. “The European Championships with its new format has 51 games. This means that we will need ten stadiums. We are of the clear opinion that no new buildings are necessary, so it’s very different than as in 2006. We’re totally optimistic to be the hosts in 2024.”

Germany last hosted the European Championship in 1988 and also hosted the World Cup in 1974. Germany currently has 16 stadia across the country with a capacity of more than 40,000, including Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park, Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, and Berlin’s Olympiastadion.

Here are some more stories to kick off your Tuesday:

BAYERN KEEP AN EYE ON STERLING FOR BACKUP PLAN

Bayern Munich is focused clearly on signing Marco Reus this coming summer, but they’re keeping an eye on matters abroad in case their plan A doesn’t come to fruition.

According to a report in Bild, Bayern are considering the signing of Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling as a second option if the club are unable to sign Reus. The report claims that Sterling is under contract through 2017, and while Liverpool have offered the England international an extension, Sterling has yet to sign it.

The report takes those recent developments as a sign that Bayern might be able to tempt him to Bavaria next summer.

Reus is reportedly a major target for Real Madrid next summer, and is likely to have to pick between Bayern or Madrid when the time comes to leave Borussia Dortmund. Reus can be transferred for a fee of €25 million, a small price to pay for both Madrid and Bayern.

MAN UNITED’S HERRERA, MEXICO’S AGUIRRE AMONG 42 PLAYERS SUSPECTED OF MATCH FIXING

The Spanish authorities are becoming involved in the league’s bid to rid the sport of match-fixing.

After the Liga BBVA began investigating nine matches in 2013, the Spanish state prosecutor has filed a complaint against 42 players and officials involved in a match in May 2011 that finished 2-1 to Real Zaragoza. The win helped keep Zaragoza in La Liga for one more season, avoiding relegation.

The complaint states that Zaragoza paid Levante players a sum of €965,000 to throw the match, and 41 players and executives that played in the match or were involved with the clubs at the time have been named in the complaint, including Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera and Japan National Team manager Javier Aguirre.

QUICK KICKS

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that a Club World Cup title would close out an “unforgettable” calendar year. (REPORT)

Hull City manager Steve Bruce claimed he doesn’t know where midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa is, but claimed the player is not AWOL. (REPORT)

Spanish police have arrested 30 people, including two direct suspects involved in the death of Deportivo La Coruña fan Francisco José Romero, known as “Jimmy.” (REPORT)

After a year out of soccer, Tite has been re-appointed as Corinthians manager, taking over for former Brazil boss Mano Menezes. (REPORT)

Maccabi Haifa left back Taleb Tawatcha has been recalled to the Israeli National Team for a winter training camp. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Germany winning the rights to host Euro 2024? Do you believe Sterling could be tempted to move to Bayern? What do you think of the match-fixing complaint?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

    • I think they may be looking for fast players who can play on the wing, because Robben is 30 and Ribery is 31. Even Blokhin started to lose some of his pace in his 30s. 🙂

      Reply
  1. I guess Bayern is not waiting for green anymore.
    That’s weird since I was told he was Pep’s boy and destined to a starting job this season as a replacement for those players that left Bayern.

    Reply

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