By Samindra Kunti
February 15 – Covid vaccination champions Israel have proposed to help out with staging Euro 2020 and the final stages of both the Champions League and the Europa League.
Israel is inoculating its population at a record pace and fans are expected to return to stadiums next month, leading the Israeli Football Association (IFA) to engage in talks with UEFA about the possibility of staging some Euro 2020 matches in Israel, as well as the crucial stages of Champions League and Europa League given Europe’s slow pace of vaccination and the scenario that fans won’t be able to attend matches this summer in Europe.
Israel however has only two stadiums that would meet some of UEFA’s capacity requirements to host major matches. Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadum has a capacity of 34,000 seats while the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa boasts a capacity of 30,780.
The European governing body has been wrestling with how to plan its flagship tournament ever since Euro 2020 was delayed by a year because of Covid-19. Various scenarios have been mooted and UEFA had been expected to take a decision by March. However, a final decision could well be pushed back to April.
The showpiece competition is due to start on June 11, but with infection rates are across Europe still high and inoculation moving at a slow pace, UEFA could well be forced to move away from staging the finals in a pan-European format across 12 cities.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1713616644labto1713616644ofdlr1713616644owedi1713616644sni@o1713616644fni1713616644