Politics
Britain could host ALL of Euro 2020 this summer after incredible vaccine roll out with Government ‘waiting’ to step in
FOOTIE-MAD Britain could host all of the Euros this summer thanks to the stonking vaccine rollout.
Whitehall insiders said they are “ready and waiting” to step in to host the summer spectacular if asked.
Britain could host the Euro tournament this summer[/caption]
No10 is facing a growing clamour to rescue the championships, which was meant to be played across 11 countries this summer.
MPs have warned that forcing teams to zigzag around Europe while the pandemic is still raging is a “biohazard disaster” waiting to happen.
And President of the Albanian FA Armand Duka broke cover to say the entire tournament could now be moved to England.
Mr Duka said England’s plans to get crowds back into stadiums by May 17 puts it in pole position if the tournament moves to just one country.
He said: “The hope is that Euro 2020 can be played with 50 per cent of fans in the stands.
“It’s possible that Euro 2020 will be played solely in England.
“There are still four or five months left, let’s see if the situation will change. If not, England remains a possibility.”
Whitehall sources said they are ready to step in – but no request has been made.
England fans could be treated to a blockbuster football bonanza this summer[/caption]
The pressure could increase on Southgate if the tournament is held in England[/caption]
A government insider said: “This is their tournament and it’s not for us to get in the way and make suggestions.
“But we have some brilliant venues, infrastructure and would be ready to go if we are asked.
“Of course we would look very hard at it.”
Tory MP Julian Knight, chairman of the sport select committee, said the PM should offer to host the Euros and show “Britain is open for business”.
He told The Sun: “The Euros cannot go on in the form they wanted across 11 different countries.
“It’s ridiculous, each country is going to be on a different stage with Covid and vaccinations.
“It will be chaos. It’s a biohazard disaster, potentially.
“I think it’s a distinct possibility we will have the Euros.”
Wembley is already playing host to the final and semi-finals under the current plan.
It would be relatively straightforward to ramp this up to play host for all the games across Britain’s great stadiums, Mr Knight said.
He added: “It will send a message to the world that Britain is open for business.”
Hosting the tournament would hand a much needed boost to Britain’s Covid ravaged pubs and restaurants.
And it would lift Britain’s spirits after over a year in lockdown.
UEFA are understood to be in a “holding pattern” and are holding out for as long as possible before making a final decision on where games will be played.
It is thought they will examine infection rates, vaccine uptake and border restrictions likely to be in place before canning all, or some venues.
The Sun understands the footy regulator will be keen to try and keep the tournament as close to original plans as possible as canning venues will result in financial penalties.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has regular meetings with UEFA and has discussed the plans to get fans back into stadiums from May 17.
The Whitehall source added: “We have had no indication that UEFA wish to change the footprint of the tournament.”
The PM’s spokesman said talk of moving the Euros entirely to Britain is “just speculation” – but did not rule out hosting the games.
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He said: “How the tournament will be hosted is a matter for UEFA and as they stated yesterday, they remain committed to the current format of the tournament.
“We are focused on the matches we are scheduled to host in the UK, including seven at Wembley and at Hampton Park in Glasgow.”
A statement from the FA read: “UEFA is committed to holding EURO 2020 across 12 European cities, according to the schedule agreed last summer. There are no other plans being pursued.”
