UEFA are expected to suspend the Champions League and Europa League, postponing Euro 2020 for a year, but only after a meeting on March 17, claim L’Equipe.
It was announced today that UEFA were organising a summit via videoconference with representatives of the 55 members associations, boards of the European Club Association, European Leagues and FIFPro to discuss “European football’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak.
“Discussions will include all domestic and European competitions, including UEFA Euro 2020. Further communication will be made following those meetings.”
L’Equipe claim one decision has already been made, as UEFA are expected to announce that Euro 2020 will become Euro 2021.
The tournament is due to kick off in Rome on June 12 with Italy-Turkey, but it’s almost impossible for the various domestic seasons to conclude by then with all the postponements.
It seems inevitable at this point that Euro 2020 will have to be delayed and, seeing as it is a travelling tournament based in several different countries around Europe, it’d be wise to postpone it until next summer.
However, when it comes to the Champions League and Europa League, UEFA are allowing this evening’s games to go ahead.
According to Sky Sports UK, UEFA will propose changing the remaining two-legged ties into one-off matches to save time, which could be played on neutral turf.
This is something Getafe had also confirmed was under consideration when their trip to Inter was called off.
It’s safe to say Juventus cannot play their Champions League game with Lyon next week, as the squad is in isolation after Daniele Rugani tested positive for Coronavirus.
He was the first Serie A player to test positive, joined today by Sampdoria striker Manolo Gabbiadini.
