Strasbourg withdraw bid to host Euro 2016 matches

The cash-strapped French city of Strasbourg announced on Thursday they have withdrawn their bid to host matches in the 2016 European football championship.

City officials estimated that the financial burden of renovating the Meinau stadium was too heavy and would cost 160 million euros of which 130 million would be paid for by the city.

Strasbourg major Roland Ries said the decision was taken as a result of “the unusual situation of Strasbourg,” the only one of the bidding cities to have their club, Racing Strasbourg, playing in the third division.

France were unveiled as Euro 2016 hosts in May by UEFA president Michel Platini, beating off strong opposition from Turkey and Italy.

Eleven bidders remain to host games – Paris (Stade de France), Paris (Parc des Princes), Lens, Lille, Bordeaux, Nice, Toulouse, Marseille, Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Nancy – of which nine will be selected next May.