This Wednesday marks 100 days to go
until the start of Euro 2020, but as preparations are fine-tuned for the first
European Championship to be played across the continent, the coronavirus
outbreak could pose a potentially serious threat to the tournament itself.
The decision to stage the second 24-team Euros in 12 different
cities in 12 different nations, from as far apart as Baku to Dublin and Glasgow
to Rome, was certainly an ambitious move.
UEFA say all venues and transport links are ready, that demand for
tickets is through the roof, and there are no obvious security worries. Except
for the coronavirus outbreak, with its unknown potential consequences, which
could cast a shadow over the entire event.
Most matches in Italy's Serie A were called off at the weekend
with the country the hardest hit by the outbreak in Europe, with 52 deaths and
more than 2,000 cases as of Monday.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Switzerland -- with 24 confirmed cases
-- on Monday announced the postponement of all games in its top two divisions
until the end of March.
"The health of persons is much more important than any
football game," insisted FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the weekend.
"I think we all hope that this can be contained, but of
course we will take advice, but it's got to be health first, sport
second," Football Association of Wales chief executive Jonathan Ford told
the UK's Press Association. Wales are due to play Italy in Rome at the Euros.
The coronavirus crisis was raised at an executive committee
meeting of European football's governing body in Amsterdam on Monday, but UEFA
is remaining calm over the possible repercussions for Euro 2020.
"UEFA is in touch with the relevant international and local
authorities regarding the Coronavirus and its development," it told AFP.
"For the moment, there is no need to change anything in the
planned timetable. The issue will be kept under constant scrutiny."
The opening match is due to take place in Rome on Friday, June
12, with Italy facing Turkey.
UEFA says it has received more than 28 million requests for
match tickets, a figure it says is more than double the number for Euro 2016.
However, if the outbreak continues to spread, some fans may
think twice about travelling to games, even if everything is ready to welcome
them.
Of the 12 venues, only the Puskas Arena in Budapest has been
newly built, the stadium in the Hungarian capital officially opening in
November. Wembley in London will be the venue for the semi-finals and final.
On the field, the carrot of playing in the final on home turf is
dangling over England, with Gareth Southgate's side among the tournament
favourites.
They were hugely impressive in qualifying, but since then
injuries and a loss of form to key players have raised some doubts.
Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford could miss the rest of the season
with their clubs due to long-term hamstring and back injuries respectively,
while Raheem Sterling has yet to score in 2020.
Southgate, who will attend the draw for the next UEFA Nations
League in Amsterdam on Tuesday, also has a big call to make in goal with
Everton's Jordan Pickford struggling for form.
One of the few leading nations who will not host matches, World
Cup holders France also have problems, with Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante's
season notably ravaged by injuries.
France are in the same group as Germany, who are hoping to
bounce back from their 2018 World Cup disaster with a squad that has been
considerably freshened up.
While Spain look to rediscover the form that allowed them to win
back to back Euros in 2008 and 2012, holders Portugal will hope to get one last
song out of the 35-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, Belgium and a rejuvenated Netherlands -- who will
play group games in Amsterdam -- may fancy their chances of going all the way.
Of the 24 qualifying spots, the last four will be decided by the
Nations League play-offs later this month.
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