UEFA may run a lopsided Euros with some matches played behind closed doors and others in front of fans in its 12 host cities – with plans set to be announced in March as Covid crisis continues to cause havoc
- All 12 host cities for the delayed Euro 2020 are in lockdown or enforcing curfews
- But UEFA remain committed to running the Euros on a pan-European basis
- All 12 venues have until end of next month to produce detailed plans for hosting
- It’s understood UEFA are willing to have grounds operating at various capacities
UEFA could run a lopsided European Championship this summer featuring a combination of behind-closed-doors matches and some with fans.
All 12 of the proposed host cities for the delayed Euro 2020 are in lockdown or enforcing curfews, with new restrictions being implemented almost daily.
But European football’s governing body remain committed to running the tournament on a pan-European basis in front of crowds if at all possible.
It is unclear how many fans, if any, will be able to attend delayed Euro 2020 games at Wembley
Wembley will host England’s group matches, and both semi-finals and the final this summer
These are understood to include stadiums being at full capacity; 50 per cent to 100 per cent capacity with mitigations in place; 20 to 30 per cent capacity and a behind-closed-doors tournament.
A decision is expected to be made at the beginning of March.
Sportsmail has learned that UEFA are even willing to have host stadiums operating at different capacities in each city despite concerns over the integrity of the competition.
The Stadio Olimpico is due to host the first match of the tournament between Italy and Turkey
This is magnified in cases such as England and Italy who have been granted matches in front of their own fans.
Italy are due to kick off the tournament with a home game against Turkey in the Stadio Olimpico in Rome June 11, but all of England matches under Gareth Southgate are scheduled to take place at Wembley, as are both semi-finals and the final.
The European governing body have considered other options, including switching to a single host country with the United Kingdom touted as potential hosts before the third wave of the virus took hold this winter. However, they will only pursue such a change as a last resort.
UEFA remain committed to hosting the tournament this summer on a pan-European basis
