By Andrew Warshaw
March 2 – Leagues across Europe are now under threat because of the coronavirus with scores of fixtures potentially being affected over the coming weeks and months according to the head of the leagues’ umbrella body.
European Leagues president Lars-Christer Olsson says he can foresee several domestic games being played behind closed doors but cautions against too many postponements.
So far Italy is the only country that has seen top-flight games rescheduled, with five postponements at the weekend including Juventus against Inter.
But Olsson warns other countries could soon follow suit in terms of empty stadiums, and the financial impact that would cause, if the crisis gets worse.
“Our members are making preparations and I can see countries having to play games behind closed doors if the virus spreads,” Olsson told Insideworldfootball.
The Swiss government has already suspended all events involving gatherings of more than 1,000 people until March 15.
“The number of people getting ill is increasing and that will have an effect on matches,” said Olsson. “I can see a scenario where playing behind closed doors could well happen.”
“Otherwise the schedule could become impossibly congested. There’s simply no room in the calendar to postpone too many games.”
Olsson’s comments come as UEFA’s executive committee meets in Amsterdam where the potential effects of the virus will be discussed.
Although not on today’s executive committee agenda, it is understood UEFA’s top brass was using the meeting, 24 hours ahead of the full 55-nation UEFA Congress on Tuesday, to exchange views about what to do in case of a pandemic amid speculation the entire tournament could be rescheduled.
With millions of tickets sold, there is no indication at this stage that UEFA intends to take any drastic action, especially since there are over two months to go before kick-off.
But the fact that the showpiece opening game is being staged in Rome, in the country most affected by the virus in Europe, is of growing concern to European football’s governing body.
So is the fact that the event is uniquely being staged in 12 cities across the Continent, with all the potential travel and policing complications that could throw up.
The concept of a pan-European competition was devised and trumpeted by former UEFA president Michel Platini to mark the tournament’s 60thanniversary. But his successor Aleksander Ceferin has long cast doubt on the wisdom, logistically, to hand the tournament to large swathes of Europe.
As if all the cross-border complications were not enough, UEFA have now been hit with an even greater head-ache in terms of timing.
“There will definitely be discussions on what preparations to put in place,” said one exco member. “You can’t just wait and see. You have to prepare in advance”
FIFA medical committee chief Michel d’Hooghe says a balance has to be struck between prevention and over-reaction.
“For the moment, as of today, calling off all football matches is a step too far but who’s to say we could say the same thing in one week,” d’Hooghe told Insideworldfootball. “Certainly playing behind closed doors should be considered in regions where the risk is real.”
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