Football might not be coming home.
Uefa could abandon their plans to play next summer’s Euro 2021 championships in multiple countries due to the coronavirus pandemic, with Russia reportedly likely to stage all games.
The tournament, which was originally scheduled to take place last summer, was set to be the first to take on a new format which would see games played in host cities in different countries across the continent. After being forced to delay the tournament by a year due to coronavirus, Le Parisien now report that Uefa is likely to choose one country to host all games.
Having hosted the last World Cup, the same report claims Russia are favourites to take on the responsibility. Under the original plans, Wembley Stadium was set to host both semi-finals and the final, with Glasgow’s Hampden Park also selected as one of the host stadiums.
Ireland’s Aviva Stadium was also set to host group stage games and a Round of 16 match. The loss of income, whether the stadium is full or not, would not be a welcome development for the FAI if the report is true.
No firm decisions will be be made by Uefa just yet, but the governing body are monitoring how the situation with coronavirus develops across Europe, where numerous countries are experiencing a surge in new cases.
England is set to go into a month-long lockdown later this week, though Premier League fixtures will continue to be played behind closed doors.
Speaking after his side beat Sheffield United at the weekend, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted he felt conflicted at the idea of football carrying on while the rest of the nation locks down.
“It’s difficult,” he explained. “I know the Prime Minister is taking the decision because the situation is getting worse. It happened in Spain, Germany, France and everywhere.
“The virus is still there. Maybe people say it is stronger. I think the world of football cannot be an exception in what is happening in society.
“So if we have to play, we will play. But we don’t want to be different from the rest of society when they have to close restaurants or close whatever.
“It’s a position in which I am not involved,” he continued. “I want to be safe. I want to keep well for myself, for my family, my friends, for all England, all of the UK. But honestly I don’t know.”
