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Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 23:23
UEFA: Euro 2020 postponed until 2021 due to coronavirus
By Xinhua
Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 23:23 By Xinhua

A sign for the Union of European Football Associations EURO 2020 is pictured at the headquarters of the European football's governing body UEFA in Nyon on March 17, 2020, amid spread of novel coronavirus, COVID-19. (FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)

PARIS - The European football governing body UEFA has decided to postpone this summer's European Championship to 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

The Euro 2020 was scheduled to take place in 12 cities across Europe from June 12 to July 12, 2020. The proposed new dates are June 11 to July 11, 2021,  the UEFA said after it held a video conference with its 55 member associations. 

ALSO READ: Widespread suspension of football matches over COVID-19 fears

The decision came after a video conference held by UEFA, involving representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro.   

 The health of all those involved in the game is the priority, as well as to avoid placing any unnecessary pressure on national public services involved in staging matches

UEFA

"UEFA today announced the postponement of its flagship national team competition, UEFA Euro 2020, due to be played in June and July this year. The health of all those involved in the game is the priority, as well as to avoid placing any unnecessary pressure on national public services involved in staging matches. The move will help all domestic competitions, currently on hold due to the COVID-19 emergency, to be completed," the governing body of European football said in a statement.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has brought huge blows to world sports including football in Europe, as all UEFA competitions and matches (including friendlies) for clubs and national teams for both men and women have been put on hold until further notice.  

The Euro 2020 play-off matches and international friendlies, scheduled for the end of March, will now be played in the international window at the start of June, subject to a review of the situation, the UEFA said.   

"We are at the helm of a sport that vast numbers of people live and breathe that has been laid low by this invisible and fast-moving opponent. It is at times like these, that the football community needs to show responsibility, unity, solidarity and altruism," UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said when announcing the decision.   

ALSO READ: England’s Premier League suspends all matches on virus

"The health of fans, staff and players has to be our number one priority and in that spirit, UEFA tabled a range of options so that competitions can finish this season safely," Ceferin said. "Moving Euro 2020 comes at a huge cost for UEFA, but we will do our best to ensure that the vital funding for grassroots, women's football and the development of the game in our 55 countries (and regions) is not affected."



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