UEFA to discuss coronavirus in Tuesday meeting
UEFA members will meet on Tuesday to discuss how best to proceed with domestic and European club competitions, as well as Euro 2020, in the face of the worsening coronavirus pandemic.
Senior UEFA figures want the Champions League and Europa League suspended with the virus beginning to affect a number of the teams involved.
In the light of ongoing developments in the spread of Covid-19, UEFA has invited various stakeholders to discuss European football’s response to the outbreak.
Discussions will include all domestic and European competitions, including UEFA EURO 2020.
Full statement: 👇
— UEFA (@UEFA) March 12, 2020
Tuesday’s meeting, which will be held via video conference, will see the 55 member associations discuss whether this season’s club competitions should be suspended and how that might affect Euro 2020, which is scheduled to begin on June 12.
UEFA said in a statement: “In the light of the ongoing developments in the spread of COVID-19 across Europe and the changing analysis of the World Health Organisation, UEFA has today invited representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro, to attend meetings by videoconference on Tuesday 17 March to discuss European football’s response to the outbreak.
“Discussions will include all domestic and European competitions, including UEFA EURO 2020. Further communication will be made following those meetings.”
Developments involving Real Madrid and Juventus played a significant part in their decision-making process.
In the build-up to Tuesday’s meeting, UEFA will draft a number of options to put to each association.
Each option will detail a number of consequences, especially financial. One option is expected to include delaying this summer’s European football Championships and allowing domestic leagues to finish their competitions this summer.
🏆 European football's spotlight falls on the #UEL tonight.
🏟️ The next three scheduled final venues for the competition are:
2020: Gdansk 🇵🇱
2021: Seville 🇪🇸
2022: Budapest 🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/r4kj4Q5Fng— UEFA (@UEFA) March 12, 2020
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Another option is expected to include having just one leg for the Champions League and Europa League quarter-finals and semi-finals this season.
It is understood that no option is off-limits but UEFA is mindful of the considerable financial implications involved.
A complete shutdown of European football this summer is the least-favoured option, while Europe’s governing body would still need clubs and associations to agree to any changes.