The British government said on Sunday (02.21.2021) that the British government will be ready to host all the matches of the European Football Championship 2020 to facilitate their organization in the period of the pandemic, when fans can return to the stadiums in May.
According to him Sunday timesMinister of State for Culture, Media and Sports, Oliver Dowden, explained to UEFA that British stadiums could receive fans before the rest of Europe, thanks to the progress in the vaccination campaign.
The Sunday newspaper added that organizing European Cup matches, including the entire tournament in the UK, would limit the financial losses associated with box office revenues. Currently, Wembley is set to host seven matches of the European Championship 2020, including group stage matches, semi-final and final in England, while Glasgow will host four matches.
Other host cities for the competition are Dublin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Saint Petersburg, Bilbao, Munich, Budapest, Baku, Rome and Bucharest. However, in a question to Sky News TV, Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock assured that he had “not seen anything” with regard to an offer of this kind, and therefore it would be necessary to start from the principle that it was “not correct”.
The European Championship, which was scheduled to be held last summer, has been postponed for twelve months due to the pandemic, hoping that the situation will improve after a year. Officially, UEFA remains steadfast in its project to organize Euro 2020 in 12 European cities, from July 11 to July 11, compounding the uncertainty about the health plan and logistics.
UEFA is expected to work in alternative scenarios in the event of travel restrictions, when matches in European competitions have already been transferred to German, Spanish and Portuguese clubs. Israel, where the vaccination campaign is more advanced, would also have proposed hosting the final rounds of the Champions League and Euro 2020. (AFP)
-
Sports in times of a pandemic: These events could happen in 2020
Basketball – NBA (date unspecified)
After a player tested positive for the coronavirus in March, the National Basketball Association suspended its season. Now it will continue at the end of July. Disney, which holds the television rights, will become the host of the Disney World theme park, and all games and training here will be held in isolation and with a strict hygiene concept.
-
Sports in times of a pandemic: These events could happen in 2020
Premier League (date unspecified)
Can Jürgen Klopp still win the tournament in 2020? Liverpool led by 82 points, it is almost impossible to reach Manchester City (57 points), but the league has been suspended since mid-March due to the epidemic that has hit Great Britain hard. 92 matches of the season will start in June, but exactly when is unclear.
-
Sports in times of a pandemic: These events could happen in 2020
Weightlifters at the World Boxing Championships (4.7.)
Even strongmen have to make way for the virus: The World Cup battle between Britain’s Dilian White (left) and Russian Alexander Bowtkin, which is scheduled for early May, has been postponed until July 4. The World Cup battle between Tyson Fury and Dontai Wilder is set to take place at the end of the year.
-
Sports in times of a pandemic: These events could happen in 2020
Formula One (out of 5.7)
Full speed already in early July? Formula 1 is planning its return at the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg on July 5. The race will be held without an audience. After ten races canceled or postponed from the season, Spielberg will be the start of the F1 year. Former world champion Damon Hill expects “the largest television audience in Formula 1 history”.
-
Sports in times of a pandemic: These events could happen in 2020
Diamond League (As of 14.8.)
Without the Olympics, athletes such as Konstanzi Klosteralvin (center) miss the most important stage of 2020, but the Diamond League promises income, albeit not as high as usual: the series has been shortened to eleven encounters and will start in Monaco despite the pandemic. The Diamond League ends on November 17th in a location not yet decided in China.
-
Sports in times of a pandemic: These events could happen in 2020
Tour de France (29.8.-20.9.)
“That’s what makes cycling so popular,” says John DeGinkulpe of his sport: Tours de France reach the smallest cities, champions close at hand. But scenes like this are now unimaginable. The tour, which has been postponed for nearly two months, could take place without spectators to avoid a new wave of injuries. Is the plan feasible? Doubtful.
-
Sports in times of a pandemic: These events could happen in 2020
UEFA Champions League Final (date unspecified)
Istanbul dreams of another football drama: Ataturk Olympic Stadium was the scene of an unforgettable final in 2005, when Liverpool FC beat Milan on penalties (photo). In 2020, the Champions League will return to Turkey’s largest stadium. The final match is said to be held on August 29. UEFA has not confirmed the date yet.
-
Sports in times of a pandemic: These events could happen in 2020
Roland Garros Championship (20.9.-4.10.)
After the Wimbledon tournament was canceled, Roland Garros tolerated the tennis world by setting date alone. The new rendezvous is shortly after the US Open, which is a heavy burden for athletes. Now the date adjustment is being discussed. Television contracts take precedence, there may be games with empty booths.
-
Sports in times of a pandemic: These events could happen in 2020
Ice Hockey – NHL (date unspecified)
There is no reboot date yet, but many steps have been taken: The world’s first hockey league imposed strict rules to prevent the coronavirus outbreak. Quarantine of teams, training in small groups, two tests for coronavirus per week, and only two sites. The World Cup in Switzerland has been canceled.
-
Sports in times of a pandemic: These events could happen in 2020
24 Hours of Le Mans (19. – 20.9.)
The longest day in motorsport has a new history: instead of mid-June, Le Mans will now take place in mid-September. The Le Mans 24 Hours, which was first held in 1923, is one of the most famous races in the world.
-
Sports in times of a pandemic: These events could happen in 2020
New York Marathon (1.11.)
Almost no city has been affected by coronavirus like New York. But New Yorkers have shown more than once that they know how to fight. That is why the organizers say: “The fiftieth edition of the Coronavirus must proceed as planned.” Before that, the Boston Marathons (14.9.) And London (4.10) should be held. One was canceled in Berlin.
-
Sports in times of a pandemic: These events could happen in 2020
FIFA Club World Cup (date unspecified)
There will be no European Nations Cup 2020, but the Club World Cup? FIFA continues planning to host the Club World Cup in December, for the second year in a row, in Qatar. Like last year (photo), the Club World Cup will be a test for the World Championship in 2022. The 2020 edition will be the last in small format, and starting in 2021 the tournament will be held in the summer with 24 teams.
Author: Joscha Weber
