Euro 2020 Postponed Until 2021
JAKARTA - UEFA decided to postpone the 2020 European Cup finals to 2021. This decision was taken at the official UEFA meeting via video conference which was held today, Tuesday, March 17.
In the midst of fears of the COVID-19 pandemic which has disrupted the sustainability of domestic leagues and European club competitions, the decision taken by UEFA is considered to be the right one. The postponement of the 2020 European Cup was carried out so that the domestic leagues and European club competitions for the 2019/20 season, which are currently being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, can be completed this summer.
The president of the Italian football federation, Gabriele Gravina, previously stated that he would ask for Euro 2020 to be postponed. Italy has been the worst-hit country in Europe with Spaghetti's Country closed until at least April 3.
"On Tuesday we will solve this problem; the main principle is health protection. Italy is currently two weeks from now, (other countries) may not know the exact size of things. We will ask UEFA to postpone European Championship matches," said Gravina.
Meanwhile, UEFA also reportedly canceled hotel bookings in one of the host cities, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Hotel DGI-Byen confirmed that UEFA canceled their hotel bookings for more than a week. Meanwhile the Marinelyst Hotel, which is usually used as a place to stay for the Danish national team, also confirmed a similar cancellation.
Although UEFA has not officially announced it, the Norwegian football federation NFF who participated in the conference along with 54 other delegations from member countries confirmed via their Twitter account.
"UEFA has decided to postpone Euro 2020 until 2021. Euro 2021 will start from 11 June to 11 July next year," said an NFF statement.
UEFA har bestemt at EM utsettes til 2021. Det scal spilles fra 11. june til 11. july neste år. Mer informasjon kommer.
- NorgesFotballforbund (@nff_info) March 17, 2020
Originally, this prestigious international football event in Europe was scheduled to be held on 12 June to 17 July 2020. Unlike the previous editions, this time the Euro was held in 12 different countries.