Germany and Italy have now joined Ireland and Spain on the list of countries that may lose their matches in Euro 2020 because they have refused to agree to a minimum number of fans.
Each host city was asked to confirm the number of fans it could safely accommodate in light of the coronavirus pandemic by the end of play on Wednesday, with UEFA wanting them to sign up to 25% of their stadiums’ capacities.
Delayed Euro 2020 tournament is due to be held in 12 cities across 12 different countries
And today, UEFA has revealed what each city and its government has committed to.
While the Irish government made clear this week it would not agree to minimum spectator levels at this stage, and Spain revealed it was struggling to reach agreement on a figure, the surprise is that two European football giants have also declined to meet UEFA’s request
As a result, the matches in Munich, Rome, Dublin and Bilbao are all under review.
‘The four cities have until 19 April to provide additional information on their plans and final decisions will be made on that date regarding the staging of matches in those four venues,’ UEFA said in a statement.
Almost as surprising is Budapest in Hungary, which has committed to 100% attendance at the 38,600-seat Ferenc Puskas Stadium.
Germany and Italy’s position is a particular surprise because on Wednesday reports suggested both nations had committed to fans being present.
The local authorities in Munich said it it was ‘desirable’ for fans to be in the stadium for the four Euro 2020 matches.
However, Sportsmail understands this view was not endorsed by the federal government. Germany remains gripped by a third wave of coronavirus infection.
In Italy, Health Minister Roberto Speranza informed the country’s football federation on Tuesday that fans can attend the four matches in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, which is due to host the opening game between Italy and Turkey on June 11, based on protocols from scientific advisors.
But confidence appears to have ebbed away in the days that followed.
The question now is would UEFA dare strip Germany and Italy of their matches.
‘Germany is the most powerful FA in Europe,’ said a source close to the tournament planning. ‘It’s hard to see Munich being kicked out of the competition.
The unprecedented pandemic has slashed the number of seats available at matches and UEFA is now preparing to refund hundreds of thousands of tickets out of the 2.5m sold to supporters’ clubs and placed on general sale.
England fans will return to Wembley in good numbers and good voice for Euro 2020 matches
One of the most confident of the 12 host cities is St Petersburg, which has committed to 50% capacity at the Gazprom Arena – 32,500 fans – up front. And the local organising committee in Russia has said it may yet increase than number before the final cut-off on April 28.
Similarly, Baku in Azerbaijan, where Wales are due to play, has confirmed a capacity of 50%, with the travelling fans of the participating teams required to present a negative Covid test result to enter Azerbaijan.
Amsterdam, Bucharest, Copenhagen and Glasgow have confirmed a capacity of 25%-33%, with Amsterdam, Bucharest and Copenhagen keeping open the option potentially to raise their capacities at the end of this month, depending on the development of their mass -testing programmes and general health conditions.
England has committed to 25% capacity – 22,500 fans – at Wembley, which will include the first group game at the stadium between England and Croatia on June 13.
This will require a special exemption from government, because the country’s roadmap out of lockdown only allows 10,000 fans until after June 21, at the earliest.
Dublin’s Aviva Stadium could yet miss out on Euro 2020 games amid fears over fans attending
The FA Cup final on May 15 at Wembley is set to be a test event, using Covid passports, and will be played in front of 21,000 spectators.
The FA is planning to ramp up attendances to 45,000 fans for the final and semi final, which would make these games the best-attended matches of the whole tournament.
The figures released by UEFA today, confirm that Scotland has said it will accommodate 25% capacity at Hampden Park in Glasgow – almost 13,000 fans.
