UEFA EURO 2020 postponed for 1 year due to Corona virus

UEFA decided on 17.03.2020 to postpone UEFA EURO 2020 by one year. This measure is intended to take the pressure off national health authorities. Since the event is planned to be held in 12 different European cities, 12 countries are also involved and it is difficult to assess from today's perspective how the development of the Corona virus will progress and whether everything will be back to normal by the summer. On the other hand, clubs in the Champions League and Europa League have been putting pressure on, and their matches have currently been suspended. Now these clubs have a good chance that their games will be made up in the summer.

UEFA informs as follows:

UEFA today announced the postponement of its flagship national team competition, EURO 2020, which should have taken place in June and July this year. The health of all involved is a top priority and the aim is to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on national authorities involved in hosting matches. This postponement increases the likelihood that all national competitions currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic can be completed.

All UEFA competitions and matches (including friendlies) for club and national teams (men and women) have been suspended until further notice. The EURO 2020 playoffs and friendly internationals, which were scheduled for the end of March, will now be played in the international match period in early June, subject to an assessment of the situation.

A working group involving representatives of leagues and clubs has been set up to discuss how to finish the current season and what other consequences will follow from the decisions made today.

Today's decisions by the UEFA Executive Committee were preceded by video conferences with the presidents and general secretaries of UEFA's 55 member associations, as well as representatives of the European Club Association (ECA), European Leagues and FIFPro Europe; UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin had convened the meetings with the aim of drawing up a coherent plan in view of the increasing number of match cancellations as a result of the spread of the coronavirus in Europe.

Announcing these decisions, Aleksander Čeferin said:

"We are the governing body of a sport that is a real lifeblood for many people, but has now had to capitulate to an invisible and fast opponent. In times like these, the soccer community must show responsibility, unity, solidarity and unselfishness.

The health of fans, staff and players must be our top priority; with this in mind, UEFA has considered a number of options on how to conclude the current season safely, and the response from my colleagues across European soccer fills me with pride. There has been a genuine spirit of cooperation; everyone involved has acknowledged that they must make sacrifices in order to achieve the best possible outcome overall.

It was important that UEFA, as the governing body of European soccer, led this process and made the biggest sacrifice. The postponement of EURO 2020 comes at a huge cost to UEFA, but we will do our best to ensure that the all-important funding for grassroots, women's and general soccer development in our 55 member countries is maintained. Ideals matter more than profits - this is the principle that has guided us in making a decision for the benefit of European soccer as a whole.

Soccer is a stirring and significant social factor. A Europe-wide soccer festival with empty stadiums, deserted fan zones and a continent under quarantine is a depressing idea; celebrating the 60th anniversary of the European Football Championship under these circumstances was out of the question for us.

I would like to thank the European Club Association, the European Leagues and FIFPro Europe for their great commitment and cooperation today. I would also like to thank from the bottom of my heart the 55 European National Associations, their Presidents and General Secretaries, and my colleagues on the Executive Committee for their support and foresight. The details will be decided in the coming weeks, but the fundamental decisions have been made, which is a significant step forward. We all showed leadership today, as well as solidarity and unity. Ideals count more than profits. We have provided this proof today.

I would also like to thank Alejandro Domínguez and CONMEBOL, who have agreed to postpone the Copa América 2020; in doing so, they have taken into account the postponement of EURO 2020 and followed the recommendation of the international health organizations to take drastic measures. This means that the clubs and leagues in Europe will be affected as little as possible with regard to the availability of their players. These joint efforts, and in particular the responsible decision taken in mutual consultation, are greatly appreciated by the entire European soccer community.

I would also like to thank FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, who indicated that FIFA would do everything possible to make the new match calendar work. In the face of this crisis, soccer has shown its best side, demonstrating openness, solidarity and tolerance."

UEFA EURO 2020 would have been held in 12 European cities from June 12 to July 12, 2020. The proposed new staging date is June 11 to July 11, 2021. UEFA would like to assure ticket holders and hospitality packages who are unable to attend the 2021 tournament that the face value of their tickets or packages will be refunded in full. Current ticket holders will be informed within the next month by email and on euro2020.com/tickets about the further procedure and the refund process.

Decisions on the dates of other club and national team competitions for men and women will be announced in due course.