Euro 2020 has been postponed amid the deadly Coronavirus scare which has affected over 30 nations of the world including US, UK, France, Canada among other countries.
Union of European Football Association (UEFA) postponed the tournament by one year to reduce the rate of the virus contraction.
Health experts have advised against mass gatherings which could be a catalyst to the spread of the deadly virus.
This has forced organisers of Euro 2020 to postpone the sports event by one year when Coronavirus scare would have come to an end.
The tournament which is scheduled to begin June 12 2020 will now hold next summer June 11, 2021 and end July 11, 2021.
Euro 2020 which features 24 nations across 12 host cities will take place next year.
This was contained in a statement by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin who said:
“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.
“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 the response of my colleagues across European football. There was a real spirit of cooperation, with everyone recognising that they had to sacrifice something in order to achieve the best result.
“It was important that, as the governing body of European football, UEFA led the process and made the biggest sacrifice. Moving EURO 2020 comes at a huge cost for UEFA but we will do our best to ensure that the vital funding for grassroots, women’s football and the development of the game in our 55 countries is not affected. Purpose over profit has been our guiding principle in taking this decision for the good of European football as a whole.
“Football is an uplifting and powerful force in society. The thought of celebrating a pan-European festival of football in empty stadia, with deserted fan zones while the continent sits at home in isolation, is a joyless one and one we could not accept to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the competition.
“I would like to thank the European Club Association, the European Leagues and FIFPro Europe for their great work today and for their cooperation. I would also like to thank from the bottom of my heart the 55 national associations, their presidents and general secretaries, and my colleagues from the Executive Committee for their support and wise decisions. The fine detail will be worked out in the coming weeks but the basic principles have been agreed and that is a major step forward. We have all shown that we are responsible leaders. We have demonstrated solidarity and unity. Purpose over profit. We’ve achieved this today.
“I would also like to thank Alejandro Domínguez and CONMEBOL, who have agreed to move CONMEBOL’s 2020 Copa America in order to follow the recommendations issued by the international public health organisations to enact extreme measures and as a result of EURO 2020 being postponed. This means that clubs and leagues in Europe will have as little disruption as possible in the availability of their players. These joint efforts and especially this coordinated and responsible decision, are deeply appreciated by the whole European football community.
“I would like to thank FIFA and its President, Gianni Infantino, who has indicated it will do whatever is required to make this new calendar work. In the face of this crisis, football has shown its best side with openness, solidarity and tolerance.”
Coronavirus which originated in Wuhan China in December 2019 has been declared a Pandemic by World Health Organisation (WHO) as the death toll increases daily. 7000 people have reportedly died from COVID-19 while over 20,000 people have been infected.
US President Donald Trump has shut down country borders as no one is allowed in or out of the country till the virus can be contained. France and Canada have also taken the same decision to protect their citizens.
The Herald earlier reported that Hollywood Actor, Idris Elba announced that he tested positive to COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Nigeria recorded her third confirmed case of Coronavirus on Tuesday, March 17 after a lady who arrived the country from UK began to show symptoms. The government is making efforts to trace all passengers who were aboard the British Airways flight with the lady.