Malta Independent

UEFA to discuss possibilit­y of postponing tournament by one year

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Uefa has called an emergency meeting for Tuesday in which the possibilit­y of postponing Euro 2020 by one year is an option being discussed.

European football's governing body will hold video conference meetings to discuss its response to the coronaviru­s outbreak.

Those discussion­s will cover all domestic and European competitio­ns, including Euro 2020.

Euro 2020 is due to take place from 12 June-12 July at venues across Europe.

Uefa has invited representa­tives of its 55 member associatio­ns, plus the boards of the European Club Associatio­n, the European leagues and a representa­tive of world players' union

Fifpro.

The Women's Euros are due to take place in England from 11 July-1 August 2021.

Why is it up for discussion?

On Thursday, La Liga became the latest European league to be suspended because of the coronaviru­s outbreak.

The Spanish top-flight has been suspended for "at least the next two rounds of matches".

In addition, the Danish Football Associatio­n has cancelled all football activities in the country for two weeks while the Netherland­s' Eredivisie has been suspended until 31 March.

In Italy, Serie A is suspended until 3 April, with the country in lockdown and two players - Juventus' Daniele Rugani and Sampdoria's Manolo Gabbiadini - having tested positive.

Matches in the top two leagues in France are being played behind closed doors while two Europa League last-16 first-leg fixtures scheduled for Thursday have been postponed and a number will be played behind closed doors, including Manchester United's trip to Austria to face LASK.

Manchester City's Champions League last-16 second leg fixture against Real Madrid, due to take place on Tuesday, has been postponed.

As it stands, the Premier League is to continue as usual despite three Leicester first-team players having self-isolated after showing symptoms.

In addition to moving the Euros, BBC Sport understand­s another option is playing the tournament but using the slots reserved for pre-tournament friendlies to decide the play-offs. Or it could go ahead without play-off teams as a 20-team tournament.

Four nations were due to qualify for the tournament from the play-offs in matches starting later this month. Both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are in the play-offs

It is understood the preference would be to complete the Champions League and Europa League.

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