Europe football governing body UEFA say there is no plan to change the format for the Euro 2020 amid speculations that the next summer’s tournament will be played in Russia.
UEFA had due to the outbreak of the coronavirus postponed the tournament by 12 months and have agreed that 12 cities will host the tournament.
However, a report on Le Parisien said UEFA are considering taking the tournament to Russia due to high infection rates of COVID-19 across the continent.
But UEFA in a statement released to the PA news agency, the governing body said:
“UEFA intends to hold Euro 2020 in the format and the venues confirmed earlier this year and we are working closely with all host cities on preparations.
“Given the uncertainties surrounding Covid -19 over which neither UEFA nor the local organizing bodies have control – it is currently too early to say whether those games in June and July will have restrictions either on fans or even their staging.”
“UEFA’s efforts are currently focused on planning for a tournament in all 12 venues with fans.
“Decisions that run counter to that plan could be made much nearer the time if necessary but there are presently no plans to change any venue.”
The cities due to host matches are Amsterdam, Baku, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Glasgow, London, Munich, Rome and St Petersburg.
England and Wales have already qualified for the finals, which start on June 11 next year and conclude with the semi-finals and final at Wembley.
The showpiece match is due to be played on July 11.
