Before the football spectacle: the Council of States wants 15 million francs for the 2025 European Football Championship

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On Thursday, the small chamber adopted a corresponding motion from its Committee for Science, Education and Culture (WBK-S) with 39 votes and 3 abstentions. There were no votes against. The proposal goes to the National Council.

The Federal Council decided in January to support emerging markets with only four million francs. He justified this, among other things, with the tense financial situation of the federal government.

Much less than in men

The decision of the Federal Council caused an uproar among those affected. Critics argued that the amount was only one-twentieth of the 80 million francs the federal government spent on the 2008 European Men’s Football Championship in Switzerland and Austria.

The Federal Council pointed out that the 2008 women’s European Championship was different from that of the men’s because the audience was composed differently. A large part of the federal contributions at the time served to finance security costs.

The Education Committee of the Council of States has unanimously approved her proposal. The major women’s sporting event gives Switzerland the opportunity to present itself to an audience of millions, according to spokeswoman Flavia Wasserfallen (SP/BE).

Cities and cantons have spoken to 65 million people so far

Sixteen European women’s football teams played for the title in eight Swiss cities. About 700,000 visitors are expected and half a billion people will watch on television. The WBK-S also wants to use part of the 15 million francs it wants for national communication.

The committee also wants to use federal money to sustainably improve the structures in women’s football and to promote the use of public transport, for example through combination tickets.

Cities and cantons have so far pledged 65 million francs for the Women’s World Cup, Wasserfallen reported. The federal government must therefore also make an appropriate contribution.

The Federal Council focuses on promoting sports, replied Federal President and Minister of Sports Viola Amherd. The four million francs must be compensated by the Federal Office for Sports. The Federal Council rejects contributions to discounted tickets for public transport and specific state communications. (SDA)

Source:Blick