Football body UEFA said that it has no plans to change the format of Euro 2020 amid reports it is considering moving next summer’s tournament to Russia. European football’s governing body decided in March to postpone the tournament by 12 months amid the coronavirus pandemic but has so far stood by the 12-city format it had originally devised.
Le Parisien reported earlier this week that Russia, which hosted the World Cup in 2018, was one option being considered by UEFA with infection rates rising again across the continent. However, in a statement released to the PA news agency, the governing body said: “UEFA intends to hold Euro 2020 in the format and the venues confirmed earlier this year and we are working closely with all host cities on preparations.
“Given the uncertainties surrounding Covid – over which neither UEFA nor the local organising bodies have control – it is currently too early to say whether those games in June and July will have restrictions either on fans or even their staging.” The statement added: “UEFA’s efforts are currently focused on planning for a tournament in all 12 venues with fans.
“Decisions that run counter to that plan could be made much nearer the time if necessary but there are presently no plans to change any venue.” The cities due to host matches are Dublin, Amsterdam, Baku, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Glasgow, London, Munich, Rome and St Petersburg.
