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In a huge setback for football fans, the European governing body on Tuesday decided to postpone the Euro 2020 tournament to next year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has brought the whole world to a standstill.
UEFA said that the 24-team tournament, which was due to be staged in 12 nations across the continent from June 12 to July 12 this year, would now take place from June 11 to July 11 2021.
UEFA has also put all club and national team competitions for men and women “on hold until further notice”, European football’s governing body said in a statement on Tuesday.
It is the first time in the competition’s history that the final stages have been postponed.
A working group has been set up with the participation of leagues and club representatives to examine calendar solutions that would allow for the completion of the current season…
The decision to put back the 24-team tournament follows football, like numerous other sports, being brought to a virtual standstill by the coronavirus outbreak.
The virus has infected almost 180,000 people and killed more than 7,000 worldwide, with the epicentre now in Europe as infection rates slow down in China where the outbreak began.
All five of Europe’s top domestic leagues — England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany — are suspended, along with the Champions League, Europa League and World Cup qualifiers.
Leagues have urged UEFA to prioritise completing domestic competitions, reflecting a concern that clubs throughout Europe will lose significant ticket and associated match-day revenue by not completing the season while still having to pay their players’ salaries.
“Postponed until 11/6- 11/7 2021. Will get back to you after the meeting,” Swedish FA chairman Karl-Erik Nilsson said in a message to Reuters during a UEFA videoconference call.
Football is probably the worst-hit sport with the European Championship being the latest high-profile event to be rescheduled at a later date due to the Covid-19 spread.
The decision was made after the a teleconference call between UEFA and the 55 member associations on Tuesday. UEFA has proposed that the June 12-July 12 tournament to be held in 12 countries be put back to June 11-July 11 next year to give the suspended domestic leagues time to be completed.
The decision will go before UEFA’s Executive Committee for final sign-off later on Tuesday.