UEFA does not plan to replace Wembley with another stadium for the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final, European football’s governing body said after Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi asked the final to be moved from the UK due to a rise in cases was. of Covid-19.
Britain recorded 10,633 new Covid-19 cases and five deaths on Monday, bringing its figure to 4.63 million confirmed cases and 127,976 deaths, according to a Reuters count.
The increase in the number of cases is due to the spread of the more infectious delta variant, first identified in India.
On Friday, UEFA said it had a contingency plan in place to reverse Wembley’s decision unless the UK agrees to exempt foreign fans from the ten-day quarantine.
A Euro spokesman said: “UEFA, the English Football Association and the English authorities are working closely and successfully to host the semi-finals and final of the Euro at Wembley, and there are no plans to change the venue for these games.” entity in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday.
Wembley is expected to host the semi-finals on 6 and 7 July and the final on 11 July.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday urged UEFA to act responsibly on plans to hold the European Cup final in London because of safety concerns over the spread of the coronavirus there.
The EU’s top authority on health issues echoed the Chancellor’s comments.
“Our health is a priority. The spread of the Delta version makes it impossible for 40,000 spectators to watch the final match at the London Stadium,” said Peter Leese.
On Monday, Draghi said he was in favor of hosting the final in Rome, and not “a country where infections are rising rapidly”.
On Friday, the Times reported that Budapest is an alternative venue being considered if Wembley cannot accommodate the visiting fans.
