FA chief:We could handle more Euro 2020 games
ENGLAND stand ready to host extra matches at Euro 2020 but the FA’s chief executive Mark Bullingham has said: “We are 100% not lobbying for anything.”
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken positively about the possibility of England staging more matches if one or more of the current 12 host cities cannot.
The Government’s road map makes provisions on sports venues potentially being up at far greater than 25% capacity from June 21 if a series of tests are met on the easing of coronavirus restrictions and depending on the success of pilot events.
FA chief Bullingham said there was the possibility of England staging more games but that other countries were in the same position.
He said: “My understanding is UEFA is very keen on hosting in 12 countries.
“If for any reason UEFA and/or the country in question decided they didn’t want to host it and came to us, I think we would be in the same position as a number of other countries in wanting to help UEFA and we know we have the stadia and the Government support to do it.
“I’m not assuming there will be extra games for England and we are 100% not lobbying for anything.
“If UEFA did decide or one country decided not to proceed, we would be one of a number of countries UEFA would consider for those extra games.”
By April 7 host cities must make effectively a minimum guarantee of venue capacity, ranging from 100% to behind closed doors.
At that point UEFA may withdraw hosting rights from certain cities but there is nothing preagreed that rights would be withdrawn if a venue cannot guarantee to allow in any spectators.
The cities will then be asked again on April 28 for an updated forecast on capacity limits, which UEFA hopes will at the very least maintain the previous forecast or improve on it, if conditions in the country concerned look better.
Glasgow and Dublin are reported to be at risk of losing matches, because there is currently less clarity over how many - if any spectators might be able to attend matches.