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Uefa: Euros host nation ‘must respect human rights’

The host nation of Euro 2024 must meet certain criteria relating to the respect of human rights, European football's governing body Uefa said on Monday as they prepare to choose between the candidacies of Germany and Turkey.

Uefa: Euros host nation 'must respect human rights'
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin. Photo: Markku Ulander/Lehtikuva/AFP
The countries are the only two to have submitted declarations of interest in hosting the competition and Uefa will decide between the two in September 2018.
   
“For the first time ever, these bid requirements contain specific criteria relating to the respect of human rights,” Nyon-based Uefa said in a statement.
   
The criteria are based on the United Nations' Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other UN conventions.
   
Criteria regarding compliance and anticorruption measures have also been included as requirements.
   
“The protection of human rights and labour rights is of the utmost importance for Uefa,” said president Aleksander Ceferin.
   
“From now on, bidding nations will have to adhere strictly to these articles in the framework of the organization of all our tournaments and finals.”
   
After Euro 2016, the first 24-team tournament held in France and won by Portugal, Euro 2020 will be held in 13 different cities around Europe, with the semifinals and final to be played at Wembley in London.
   
If Turkey succeeds in its bid for 2024, it will be the biggest sporting event ever held in the country. It has already failed in three previous bids to host the Euros.
   
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently claimed a narrow victory in a referendum on expanding his powers.
   
Opponents claim it will lead to one-man rule while the government says it will ensure political stability for a country that has experienced multiple unstable coalitions.
   
Around 47,000 people have been arrested in Turkey under a nine-month state of emergency in place since a failed military coup in July 2016.

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SPORT

Swiss goalkeeper Sommer retires from international football

Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer announced his retirement from international football on Monday after a 12-year career in which he made 94 appearances for the national side.

Swiss goalkeeper Sommer retires from international football

The 35-year-old played all five of Switzerland’s matches at Euro 2024.

His last international game was the quarter-final defeat by England on penalties.

“My time with the national team has meant a lot to me,” Inter Milan’s Sommer said in a statement released by the Swiss football association.

“I look back with pride on the many unforgettable moments, the exciting matches, the victories celebrated together and the challenges we have overcome together.”

Sommer has been a key figure for the Swiss since taking over from Diego Benaglio as their number one a decade ago.

Switzerland have made the knockout phase at the last six major tournaments.

Sommer made the deciding penalty save from France’s Kylian Mbappe in the Euro 2020 last 16 which sent his team into their first major quarter-final since 1954.

Sommer is the second player to retire from Switzerland’s national team recently.

In July, midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri announced his retirement from international football  after winning 125 Switzerland caps and becoming the only player to score in each of the last three World Cups and European Championships.

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