Euro 2020 postponed until 2021 as UEFA takes unprecedented step amid Coronavirus crisis

UEFA have taken the unprecedented step of postponing Euro 2020 by 12 months in response to the Coronavirus threat.

The finals had been due to take place between June 12^th and July 12^th in 12 different cities around Europe, stretching from Dublin in the west to Baku in the east.

A tweet from the Norges Fotbollforbund stated: “Uefa has decided that the Euros should be postponed until 2021. It will be played from 11 June to 11 July next year.”

The likelihood of such a widely-dispersed competition going ahead in June were slim the moment the continent got to grips with the scale of the deadly virus.

The rescheduled competition is likely to cause further logistical problems for UEFA as the Women’s European Championships are due to take place in England next June.

London had been due to host seven games in the Euro 2020 finals, including three group stage ties, a round of 16 game, both semi-finals and the final.

Uefa has confirmed that this Women’s tournament, along with the U21 Championship will need to be rescheduled although this will happen at a later date.

Uefa have also confirmed that the games that had been due to be played in Dublin this coming summer, will still be played in the Aviva Stadium in the summer of 2021.

The European governing body once again expressed their desire for the European club season to be concluded by the end of June and unveiled that they have worked with the clubs to ensure that all players are released for the rescheduled tournament.

FAI Interim CEO Gary Owens, who along with President Gerry McAnanery, were Ireland’s representatives on the Ueda Conference call earlier today, reiterated the association’s support for the decision.

“UEFA has made the right decision today in the interests of the health and well-being of football players, fans and staff alike.

“We support this decision and we look forward to working with all our stakeholders on reorganising UEFA EURO 2021 for Dublin next year. We would like to thank all our partners – the Government, Dublin City Council, Aviva Stadium and all the agencies and partners who have worked really well with us on the UEFA EURO 2020 project for the last few years.

“We have agreed with these partners that we will now begin to plan together for the four UEFA EURO 2021 games here next year which will be the Centenary year of the FAI.”