The UEFA Euro 2020, a highly anticipated celebration of European football, has been officially postponed to 2021. This decision, confirmed by UEFA on Tuesday, comes as a direct response to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic. Originally scheduled to be held across Europe from June 12 to July 12, 2020, the tournament will now take place from June 11 to July 11, 2021. This unprecedented move was agreed upon during an emergency video conference involving all 55 UEFA member associations, alongside representatives from clubs and leagues, signifying a unified front in the face of an unprecedented global crisis.
The postponement of Euro 2020 is not an isolated event within the sporting world. UEFA also announced the suspension of all UEFA competitions and matches, encompassing friendlies, for both club and national teams, men’s and women’s, until further notice. This widespread suspension includes the crucial Euro 2020 playoff matches, initially slated for March 26 and 31. These playoffs, which were to determine the final lineup for the tournament, are now tentatively rescheduled for the international window at the beginning of June, pending a reassessment of the evolving situation.
A primary driver behind the postponement is to allow European domestic leagues, which have been put on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak, the opportunity to complete their seasons. With the international summer calendar now freed up, domestic leagues across Europe have a window to reschedule and play out their remaining fixtures. UEFA has established a working group, including league and club representatives, to explore calendar solutions that will facilitate the completion of the current season and address any further consequences arising from Tuesday’s decisions. This collaborative approach underscores the commitment to finding solutions that serve the broader football ecosystem.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “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.” He highlighted the need for the football community to demonstrate “responsibility, unity, solidarity and altruism” during these challenging times. In an interview with The Associated Press, Ceferin described the situation as “the biggest crisis that football faced in history,” acknowledging the profound impact of the virus on football and everyday life across Europe.
The financial implications of postponing Euro 2020 are substantial. The tournament generates approximately €2 billion in revenue for UEFA through sponsorships and broadcasting rights. These revenue streams will undoubtedly be affected by the widespread economic repercussions of the pandemic. Ceferin acknowledged the economic challenges ahead, stating, “The economic situation in Europe and in the world will harm us as well.” However, he stressed the immediate need for unity and decisive action, with a focus on assessing potential damages in the future, expressing confidence that the football community will overcome the crisis and emerge stronger.
The widespread disruption to the sporting calendar extends beyond Euro 2020. Numerous high-profile events have been canceled or suspended, and the fate of the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled for later in 2020, remains uncertain. All of Europe’s top five domestic soccer leagues – England, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany – are currently suspended, along with the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and FIFA World Cup qualifiers. UEFA has indicated its intention to conclude all domestic and European club competitions by June 30, 2020, at the latest, presenting a tight timeframe for rescheduling and completing these leagues and tournaments.
Sources within Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid reportedly expressed “satisfaction and relief” at the Euro 2020 postponement, welcoming UEFA’s understanding of the pressures faced by clubs. Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish FA, echoed UEFA’s aspiration to conclude domestic league seasons by late June. The English and French football associations, along with Andrea Agnelli, chairman of the European Club Association and president of Juventus, also swiftly voiced their support for the postponement.
Adding to the reshuffling of the international football calendar, the Copa America 2020, scheduled to be held in 12 nations, was also postponed until 2021 by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). The simultaneous postponement of both Euro 2020 and Copa America provides a degree of flexibility for domestic competitions globally to be concluded once the pandemic subsides. Leagues had been advocating for UEFA to prioritize domestic competitions, as clubs across Europe faced significant financial losses from matchday revenues while still obligated to pay player salaries.
While domestic leagues are expected to welcome the news of the Euro 2020 postponement, the international football calendar for 2021 is now significantly congested. Moving Euro 2020 to June-July 2021 clashes with FIFA’s planned expanded Club World Cup, which was slated for that period. Furthermore, the Women’s European Championship is scheduled to take place in England in the summer of 2021, and FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup in China was initially planned for June 17-July 4. Ceferin acknowledged discussions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, suggesting it is “most likely” that the FIFA Club World Cup in 2021 would need to be canceled or rescheduled. He also indicated that the Women’s Euro might be moved to 2022 to avoid overlap with the men’s Euro.
The planned host cities for Euro 2020, a unique tournament spread across the continent to celebrate UEFA’s 60th anniversary, remain unchanged. Glasgow, Dublin, Bilbao, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Munich, Rome, St Petersburg, Bucharest, Budapest, and Baku are still slated to host matches, with the final set to be held at Wembley Stadium in London. Ceferin confirmed the intention to maintain the same venues and cities, although he acknowledged the possibility of adjustments to the number of host stadiums if necessary.
Following UEFA’s announcement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a statement indicating a planned conference call to address the measures taken by UEFA and discuss subsequent steps. The postponement of Euro 2020 marks a significant moment in football history, highlighting the profound impact of the global pandemic and the collaborative response of the football community to navigate these unprecedented challenges.
