UEFA ‘to request £275m compensation’ from clubs to postpone Euro 2020
UEFA will reportedly demand around £275million compensation from its clubs and leagues in order to postpone Euro 2020 by a year in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Euro 2020 was due to start on June 12 and was planned to take place in 12 host cities, with the semi-finals and final at Wembley culminating on July 12.
But the tournament is now in severe doubt as countries all over the continent go into lockdown to counter the pandemic.
Most leagues in Europe have postponed all top level football until at least April 4 but this date is expected to be put back as the virus shows no sign of subsiding.
A crisis meeting will be held today to discuss the matter further but most believe Euro 2020 will be rescheduled for either December or more likely next summer.
But according to The Athletic, UEFA chiefs will demand massive compensation in order to move the tournament, a figure that they say is the estimate it will cost to do so.
Most leagues see their priority as being able to finish their own domestic competitions before playing any international football.
The report claims that most governing bodies in each country retain hope that their competitions can still be finished in May and June.
Other options on the table include extending the action into July or later — which could cause huge complications around player contracts that expire on June 30 — and introducing play-off systems.
By close of play today we will have found out much more in terms of what the plan of action may be.
The talks, which will comprise of several different meetings, will take place using videoconference facilities.
The first meeting involves UEFA officials, the ECA and EL boards and a representative of players union FIFPro.
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It will be followed by another meeting between UEFA and its 55 member associations, including the English FA.
The completion of the Champions League and Europa League competitions will also be discussed in today’s meetings.
Whatever happens it is highly unlikely that a concrete plan to play football matches will be drawn up, such is the uncertainty over the matter at the moment.