The UK is currently examining whether it would also like to provide EM venues for 2021. Picture: EPA
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After postponing the European Championship: Are the first venues now withdrawing?
The postponed EC finals could get a different face in 2021. The withdrawal of scheduled venues is possible.
UEFA’s plans for the 2021 European Football Championship could be shaken. The umbrella organization’s wish to host the pan-European tournament in the same twelve venues as planned next year threatens to burst.
According to media reports, there are problems with the new date in several cities. Munich authorities are currently examining the feasibility of postponing the date.
The “kicker” recently reported that the problems with the new game data for the EM in Bilbao, which was postponed due to the corona pandemic, should be more specific. The British Daily Mail also claims to have heard of serious doubts about the Italian association in Rome. In addition, there are collisions with other events planned for 2021 in the respective arenas in Amsterdam, Glasgow, Dublin and at the final location in London.
Game schedule not yet definite
“UEFA is in contact with all twelve host cities on this matter and further announcements will be made in due course,” UEFA said. The schedule is “not yet officially confirmed”.
A decision could be made in late April. The European Championship was supposed to take place in twelve countries this year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first edition of the tournament in 1960. The period between June 11 and July 11, 2021 has been set as the new date. According to UEFA, “with the intention of having the same game plan and the same venues”.
However, the Russian member of the UEFA Executive Committee, Alexei Sorokin, has already spoken of possible alternative scenarios: “Should any city fail, only a few options remain.” New venues would be selected or games would be distributed to the other cities. “The second option is less time-consuming,” said Sorokin, who also heads the St.Petersburg venue organization team, the Tass agency.
Baku wants more games
In Russia itself, withdrawal is not an issue, assured Sorokin. If some cities jump off because of the Corona crisis, Russia could help. Azerbaijan, which is rich in oil, also wants to hold on to Baku, where Switzerland also had two of its EM preliminaries in 2020 (against Wales and Turkey).
Switzerland would have played in Baku. Image: AP
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Regional media recently speculated about the possible benefits of a cancellation by other hosts such as Rome or Bilbao. So Baku could get more games.
Rome’s mayor Virginia Raggi, however, said immediately after the postponement of the EM: “We want to experience the EM carefree and without risks, and I am sure that it will be an unforgettable event for our city.” Italy is one of the countries hardest hit by Corona. And in Rome, Switzerland would have taken on the now postponed finals in their second preliminary game against hosts Italy.
Spain is also suffering severely from the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. A spokesman for the national association, however, assured the PA news agency that it would be “no problem” to play 2021 games at the planned venue in Bilbao in 2021. Bilbao’s mayor Juan Maria Aburto, on the other hand, does not want to make a public statement to the EM organizers before the city has issued a statement.
Will the San Mames stadium in Bilbao remain empty in 2021? Picture: EPA
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Copenhagen, however, absolutely wants to remain the venue for the European Championship and celebrate “a huge sports summer” together with the start of the Tour de France 2021, as Mayor Frank Jensen said. Like most organizers, the Danes also expect increased costs due to the relocation of the European Championship. However, for the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is known as a big football fan, this is no reason to shake Budapest.
Bucharest can also be sure of further support from the Romanian government. Investments for the EM would benefit the country in the long term and would “support the economy especially in these times,” said Sports Minister Ionut Stroe.
The assessment of risks and chances of sticking to the EM is still in progress in Dublin, Glasgow and London. Basically, these venues should also be available for 2021. The severe effects of the UK Coronavirus pandemic also prompted warning words from London’s mayor. “Public safety always comes first,” said Sadiq Khan, stressing that “football is less important than that.” (abu / sda / dpa)
