Sarkozy travels to Geneva to support Euro 2016 football bid

AFP - French President Nicolas Sarkozy will travel to Geneva on Friday to support France's bid to host the 2016 European football championships, his office confirmed on Thursday.

He will be accompanied by Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot and Secretary of State for Sport Rama Yade, and will address representatives of European football's governing body UEFA at the end of the morning.

France, Turkey and Italy are bidding to host the tournament with UEFA set to reveal the winning country after final presentations on Friday.

After Paris failed to win the 2012 Summer Olympics, the French president has taken a personal interest in the bid for Euro 2016, regularly meeting with French football officials and mayors of towns where matches will take place.

The French government has pledged to invest 150 million euros in the construction and renovation of stadiums in 12 cities. The money will be paid even if the French bid is unsuccessful.