UEFA is considering the possibility of Russia hosting the delayed Euro 2020 tournament in full next summer
The European Championships were scheduled to take place in 12 cities in 12 different countries in June and July, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the tournament has been postponed for a year
Countries on the continent continue to fight the coronavirus pandemic, with partial or national lockdowns again imposed, UEFA’s hopes of hosting a European-wide tournament are quickly fading – Le Parisien reports
But the prospect of traveling between countries, inside and outside of nations with varying restrictions, makes it more likely that a host will be chosen for the tournament
« According to corroborating sources, one scenario in particular is being seriously studied: that of Russia », reports Le Parisien
General view outside the stadium after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match between Russia and Egypt at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 19, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, in Russia
Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup and « breathed its name into the halls of the Swiss headquarters of UEFA » according to the French newspaper
The country has seen more than 10,000 new cases of Covid-19 per day since early October, while there have been more than 6 million recorded cases and 28,473 deaths as of November 2
Le Parisien adds: « The figures communicated by the Kremlin are regularly questioned A point which could also weigh in the final decision to keep Russia or simply to keep Saint Petersburg as the host city. In addition, the country’s borders have been closed since March 18, but exceptions have been granted to sports teams «
UEFA has been contacted by Le Parisien, and although the governing body has not confirmed anything, it will continue to monitor health rules in each country, while the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and the Armenia could see Baku withdrawn from host city
UEFA Euro 2020, 2018 World Cup, Russia, 2021
World news – GB – Euro 2020: UEFA to consider Russia as only host of delayed tournament – report
