Euro 2020 on brink of postponement claims report

UEFA is reportedly close to postponing the upcoming Euro 2020 competition as Europe continues to combat the spread of Coronavirus.

According to sources cited by the Associated Press, UEFA has been assessing whether the tournament can be staged with a final decision set to be made next Tuesday. The source goes on to say that the main option internally at UEFA is to delay the event by a year.

UEFA had been insisting that the event will go ahead, amid reports that a number of national federations had requested its postponement.

However, UEFA’s stance has reportedly changed following the World Health Organisation’s move to declare coronavirus a pandemic.

A previous statement from UEFA said: “we are closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with the World Health Organisation and national authorities regarding COVID-19 and its development.”

Should the tournament be moved to 2021, it is believed that the Women’s Euros would similarly be pushed back by a year.

Moving the Euros to 2021 would also free up the summer for outstanding club matches to be played around Europe. Football in Italy, Spain and Germany has been suspended, while the English Premier League is set to follow after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi were both tested positive for the virus. UEFA has also postponed the remaining games in the Champions League’s round of 16.