UEFA Beat A Number Of Scenarios For The 2020 European Cup

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin is optimistic that the 2020 European Cup finals will be held. But he acknowledged that UEFA was considering a number of scenarios due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The finals of the elite tournament were originally planned for 12 June to 12 July, but in March 2020 a decision was made to postpone it until next year.

"Of course, I will tell you in February that the European Cup will be normal with full stadiums this summer, but everything changes within a month," he said as quoted by Antara , Wednesday, October 14.

"If you asked me in February if I was ready for a pandemic that would stop the world, I would say you are crazy."

"But now we have prepared well. We are smarter and stronger than last year, as we now know that anything can happen," he added.

As a precaution, Ceferin said UEFA had prepared for a number of scenarios for the finals which were postponed until 11 June - 11 July 2021.

He also said the arena could be cut from the original plan of 12 stadiums, although currently UEFA has not seriously considered it.

"We are considering how to do it with fans, without fans, or with 30, 50, or 70 percent (stadium capacity)," he added.

"But in theory, we could host the European Cup in 12 countries, in 11, ten, or three countries, or one (country)," Ceferin said.

Ceferin admits the idea of holding the European Cup in a number of countries on the continent is a symbol of a good thing, although not an easy job, even without a pandemic.

The idea of spreading out the venue for the European Cup was the brainchild of his predecessor, Michel Platini, and Ceferin admits that he might not support such an idea again.

But the 53-year-old insisted, "It is a big challenge, but I believe the European Cup will be played next year."