UEFA Gives 12 Euro Hosts until April for Plan to Have Fans

The Henri Delaunay Trophy is seen ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 Final Draw Ceremony. (Getty Images)
The Henri Delaunay Trophy is seen ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 Final Draw Ceremony. (Getty Images)
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UEFA Gives 12 Euro Hosts until April for Plan to Have Fans

The Henri Delaunay Trophy is seen ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 Final Draw Ceremony. (Getty Images)
The Henri Delaunay Trophy is seen ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 Final Draw Ceremony. (Getty Images)

UEFA insisted Wednesday it remains determined to stage the rescheduled European Championship across 12 countries but gave host cities until April to decide whether fans can attend games.

Even before the pandemic derailed UEFA's plans last year, the event was logistically challenging because it was using a dozen stadiums in different countries for the first time.

The planning has been complicated further by a second wave of the coronavirus leading to new forms of lockdowns across Europe and domestic games being played in empty stadiums. An operational meeting on Wednesday led by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin with representatives of the 12 host cities had to be held virtually.

“UEFA is committed to holding Euro 2020 in the 12 cities originally planned,” Čeferin said. “I am optimistic that things are highly likely to be very different with regard to the virus as we move closer to the tournament and it is important that we give the host cities and governments as much time as we can to formulate an accurate picture of what will be possible come June and July.”

Greater flexibility in the planning will be afforded to cities, including giving them until early April to submit plans about how fans might be allowed into stadiums, UEFA said.

Wembley Stadium has the most games, with the London venue staging the semifinals and final among its seven fixtures.

Dublin is the westernmost venue while the eastern extremity is Baku, Azerbaijan. Matches will also be in Munich, Rome, St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, Bucharest, Amsterdam, Bilbao, Budapest and Glasgow.

“Fans are such a big part of what makes football special and that is true of the Euro as much as it is of any game,” Čeferin said. “We must allow ourselves the maximum space to allow their return to the stadiums.”



Impressive City Show Title Credentials with Juve Demolition

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder #16 Rodri greets the fans after winning the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group D football match between Italy's Juventus and England's Manchester City at the Camping World stadium in Orlando on June 26, 2025. (AFP)
Manchester City's Spanish midfielder #16 Rodri greets the fans after winning the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group D football match between Italy's Juventus and England's Manchester City at the Camping World stadium in Orlando on June 26, 2025. (AFP)
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Impressive City Show Title Credentials with Juve Demolition

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder #16 Rodri greets the fans after winning the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group D football match between Italy's Juventus and England's Manchester City at the Camping World stadium in Orlando on June 26, 2025. (AFP)
Manchester City's Spanish midfielder #16 Rodri greets the fans after winning the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group D football match between Italy's Juventus and England's Manchester City at the Camping World stadium in Orlando on June 26, 2025. (AFP)

Manchester City produced an impressive display to thrash Juventus 5-2 and underline their title credentials at the Club World Cup on Thursday.

The only team to advance into the last 16 with three victories, they showed intent and great finishing to top Group G, exposing Juve's defensive fragility in searing heat in Orlando.

The game also saw Rodri make his first start for City since September, playing 67 minutes.

By finishing top of their group, City will likely avoid a last-16 clash against Real Madrid, who will clinch Group H if they beat RB Salzburg later on Thursday.

Juve will probably have to face the 15-times European champions, who are expected to welcome back France forward Kylian Mbappe following a bout of illness.

Juventus coach Igor Tudor said: "They were better. Better team. They controlled. It was difficult to play. Then we wanted to change a little bit to the team. It was not easy to make pressing this way. They were much better."

Juventus goalscorer Teun Koopmeiners said: "They had a lot of touches on the ball. First half, we stayed a little too low. When we recovered the ball it was quite difficult to come out. Second half, they were stronger than us and they scored a couple of goals. We need to learn from it."

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said: "I liked the way we did it. It has been a long time since we had a performance like this on and off the ball. The players were committed and we are happy to beat a top side.

"This is just one game, but I think the players felt again what it was like to be a good team. The belief always comes from your performances, not your past."

On Rodri's return to the starting lineup, Guardiola said: "We have missed him a lot. He knows exactly what he has to do with the ball, and his personality. I didn't expect him to play as many minutes. He will be ready for the next one."