UEFA have postponed this summer’s European Championship until 2021, freeing up the summer months to allow leagues across Europe to conclude their fixtures.
The European football governing body held an emergency video meeting on Tuesday following the suspension of a number of leagues due to the coronavirus pandemic, with national associations reporting the postponement on Tuesday lunchtime.
The Premier League is currently not due back in action until the start of April, though this is likely to be postponed further at a meeting on Thursday.
Due to the delay for all major leagues across Europe and the coronavirus’ implications on the tournament itself, UEFA have sensibly decided to push the Euros back a year.
The final of the international tournament is set for Wembley, with games held across Europe, which would have served as a major concern given the current climate.
It will now be held between June 11 and July 11, 2021, which allows the 2019/20 campaign to conclude at a later date than usual.
This should, in turn, ensure the domestic season will not be voided.
Following UEFA’s decision, the Premier League are expected to now agree that the campaign will be played out after the peak of the outbreak subsides in England.
Games could still be played behind closed doors, with the government warning against—but so far not banning—mass gatherings, but the preference for players is to resume action with fans.
More details should emerge in the near future, with further updates and an official announcement from UEFA to follow on Tuesday.
Source: Anfield.com
