The European Championship has been postponed to 2021. At first, the idea seemed farfetched and ridiculous. Later, it seemed plausible. Then, it seemed inevitable. UEFA has now confirmed that Euro 2020 has been postponed to 2021. The competition was scheduled to take place from 12 June to 12 July this summer in 12 different cities throughout Europe, one of which is in Italy – the second-most COVID-19-affected nation in the world. UEFA’s aim is to play the tournament in 2021 and finish club competitions this summer. Euro 2021 will take place between June 11 to July 11.
UEFA European Championship Postponed Until 2021
Emergency Meeting
In an interview with Sky Sports, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said: “I’m optimistic. I still think that things will be under control way before the Euros start. So I’m not worried about it”. But a lot has changed in these last two weeks. Do not blame Ceferin for being wrong. We all were. UEFA reached the decision following emergency conference calls with member associations, the board of the European Leagues, and the board of the European Club Association.
Logistical Challenges for UEFA
Following the postponement, European leagues will have an additional month to finish their seasons. It’s impossible to know what will happen next, impossible to know whether the pandemic will be under control by then or not. UEFA’s problems will remain even if the postponement goes according to plan, but UEFA and their member associations can only do the right as they see the right.
The 2021 UEFA Nations League finals are scheduled to take place in early June next year as are the Women’s European Championship in England and U21 Men’s European Championship in Slovenia and Hungary. The World Health Organization now says Europe is the epicentre of the pandemic. Postponing the tournament is definitely the right thing to do.
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