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The biggest event of the Summer has been called off. The Euros have been postponed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The decision was arrived at after UEFA officials met on Tuesday.
The meeting involved a series of conference calls.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin made the announcement that involved 55 European National Associations as well as representatives of the European Club Association, European leagues and FIFPro Europe in an attempt to find a suitable plan amidst the crisis caused by the spread of the virus both in Europe and in the world.
The decision means that the Euros will now take place between June 11 to July 11 next year.
“We are at the helm of a sport that vast numbers of people live and breathe that has been laid low by this invisible and fast-moving opponent.
It is at times like these that the football community needs to show responsibility, unity, solidarity and altruism,” said the Solvenian who has been UEFA president since 2016.
The move came as UEFA gave priority to the completion of domestic leagues that have since postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The health of fans, staff and players has to be our number one priority and, in that spirit, UEFA tabled a range of options so that competitions can finish this season safely and I am proud of response of my colleagues across European football.
There was a real spirit of cooperation, with everyone recognizing that they had to sacrifice something in order to achieve best result,” reported Aleksander.
All UEFA competitions and matches (including friendlies) for national teams and clubs have been put on hold until further notice.
Euro 2020 was scheduled to take place in 12 cities across Europe from 12 June to 12 July 2020.
The proposed new dates are 11 June to July 2021.
French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet welcomed the decision citing that they support the decision to postpone the pan-European tournament.
“The international matches planned for March, including the two matches of the French team on March 27 and 31 at the Stade de Fance, would therefore logically be postponed to June.
This wise and pragmatic decision by UEFA makes it possible to fully register in the urgency and the priority of collective action to fight the virus,” said Noel.
In other news, the Champions League final will now be played on June 27 while the Europa League final in Gdansk has been moved back to June 24.
UEFA wants the European football season completed by the end of June.
