Dublin facing deadline for hosting Euro games

UEFA has given Ireland ten days to come up with further details of plans for fan access to games for this summer’s Euros after the FAI were unable to commit to allowing supporters into the Aviva Stadium in June.

Munich, Rome and Bilbao – the other Group E host alongside Dublin – have also been given until 19 April, when UEFA’s executive committee meet, before a final decision on whether the cities will remain host venues.

“The remaining four cities have until 19 April to provide additional information on their plans and final decisions will be made on that date regarding the staging of matches in those four venues,” European soccer’s governing body said in a statement.

The eight other host venues for the tournament, which starts on 11 June, had given varying levels of capacity as part of their plans.

“Currently, eight host countries have confirmed stadium capacities based on their projections of an improved health situation in their countries in June and July due to a number of factors, including a country’s vaccination rollout, its planned measures for reopening the economy and the projected slow-down in the virus due to warmer season,” UEFA said.

A no-guarantee approach from the Irish bid means the three group games scheduled for Dublin, involving Poland, Sweden and Slovakia, as well as one Round of 16 match, are likely to go elsewhere.

On Wednesday, UEFA were told by the FAI and the Irish Government that no assurances could be provided on spectators attending 2020 games in the capital.

St Petersburg has confirmed a capacity of 50%, with the possibility of increasing that figure by the end of this month.

In a statement, the FAI said: “The Football Association of Ireland, on advice and guidance from the government, has notified UEFA that owing to the Covid-19 pandemic it is not in a position at this point to provide assurances on minimum spectator levels at the Euro 2020 matches due to be held in Dublin in June.

“In so doing, we have advised UEFA that the matter will be kept under review and that the Local Organising Structure (LOS) team including government will continue to discuss all issues with UEFA on an ongoing basis.

“All partners of the LOS – Government, the FAI, Aviva Stadium and Dublin City Council – recognise the challenges presented by spectator attendance at Aviva Stadium for the scheduled hosting of four matches at Euro 2020 this summer and that public health issues are the most important consideration in the organisation of the project.”

St Petersburg has confirmed a capacity of 50%, with the possibility of increasing that figure by the end of this month, while Budapest is aiming to host spectators at full capacity, subject to them fulfilling strict stadium entry requirements.

Baku has confirmed a capacity of 50%, with the travelling fans of the participating teams required to present a negative Covid-19 test result to enter Azerbaijan.

Amsterdam, Bucharest, Copenhagen and Glasgow have confirmed a capacity of 25%-33%, with Amsterdam, Bucharest and Copenhagen keeping open the option potentially to raise their capacities at the end of this month, depending on the development of their mass testing programmes and general health conditions.

London has confirmed a minimum capacity of 25% for the three group matches and round of 16 match and are hoping to confirm a higher capacity for the semi-finals and final at Wembley in early July.

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