August 7 – Four countries – Greece, Cyprus, Hungary and Poland – have offered to act as neutral venue hubs for upcoming Nations League matches and other UEFA competitions if Covid-19-related travel restrictions prevent them being played in the originally scheduled country.
UEFA is conscious that travel between some countries may be prohibited because of restrictions relating to the coronavirus pandemic and the matter was discussed at a virtual meeting of all 55 member associations on Thursday.
As well as Nations League games, the qualifying rounds for next season’s Champions League and Europa League are due to be played between August 8 and October 1 but the rapidly changing Covid situation around Europe are making them difficult to organise.
“The possibility of playing international matches at neutral matches cannot be discounted at this stage,” said UEFA.
“In order to comply with travel restrictions and quarantine requirements issued by authorities, some matches may need to be moved to neutral countries/stadia and the detailed scenarios were presented.”
“In this respect, UEFA thanks four associations for their cooperation … with these countries making some of their stadiums available on the scheduled match dates and offering a travelling corridor to the teams to come and play the match without restrictions.”
“The September international window was also discussed and the difficulties that the national teams will have to face with the same restrictions highlighted. Close cooperation between all teams and UEFA will be needed to ensure the regular staging of all matches.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714847772labto1714847772ofdlr1714847772owedi1714847772sni@w1714847772ahsra1714847772w.wer1714847772dna1714847772