14,000 Fans Allowed for Euro Matches in Munich's Allianz Arena

This aerial photo shows the illuminated Allianz Arena during the UEFA Champions League. (AFP)
This aerial photo shows the illuminated Allianz Arena during the UEFA Champions League. (AFP)
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14,000 Fans Allowed for Euro Matches in Munich's Allianz Arena

This aerial photo shows the illuminated Allianz Arena during the UEFA Champions League. (AFP)
This aerial photo shows the illuminated Allianz Arena during the UEFA Champions League. (AFP)

Some 14,000 fans will be allowed to attend Euro 2020 matches in Munich's Allianz Arena this month if infection rates in Bavaria remain as low as at the moment, Bavarian State Premier Markus Soeder said on Friday.

"We believe it is possible to have up to 20%, about 14,000 (in the stadium)," Soeder told a news conference. "The Euro is a special situation."

"We looked at it carefully. This could be a pilot and test for other professional sports. It is an outstanding test."

Germany had not provided guarantees for a minimum number of fans, as requested by European football’s governing body UEFA, when the city was confirmed as a Euro host.

The Allianz Arena is due to host Germany's three Group F matches against world champions France on June 15, holders Portugal four days later and Hungary on June 23.

The stadium will also host one quarter-final match.

Euro 2020 was postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will run from June 11-July 11, played out in 11 host cities across the continent.

COVID-19 cases have been dropping in Germany in recent weeks. On Friday officials announced 3,165 confirmed cases nationwide.



Man United Great Alex Ferguson to Step Down as Club Ambassador in Latest Change under Ratcliffe

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson waves as he takes his seat on the stands before the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (AP)
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson waves as he takes his seat on the stands before the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (AP)
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Man United Great Alex Ferguson to Step Down as Club Ambassador in Latest Change under Ratcliffe

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson waves as he takes his seat on the stands before the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (AP)
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson waves as he takes his seat on the stands before the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (AP)

Manchester United great Alex Ferguson will step down from his role as club ambassador at the end of the season, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the move has not been publicly announced.

Ferguson will be 83 in December and the person said the ending of his ambassadorship was “amicable” and he would “always be welcome at Old Trafford.”

Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles with United and is widely regarded as one of the finest managers in the history of soccer. He is United's most successful manager, having won 28 major trophies.

He has been a club ambassador since retiring after leading United to its last league title in 2013.

His imminent departure comes at a time when the club is undergoing major change following the partial buyout by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe in February.

United has undergone an extensive restructuring program following Ratcliffe’s investment of $1.3 billion for a 27.7% stake and implemented cost-saving initiatives that it said included staff redundancies of around 250 roles.

United reported losses of 113.2 million pounds ($148 million) in its latest accounts.

Ferguson was hired by United in 1986 at a time when the club had long-since lost its place as the pre-eminent force in English soccer.

He ended its 26-year wait for the league title in 1993 and went on to dominate the Premier League era right up until his retirement when United was crowned champion with an 11-point lead over Manchester City.

He also won two Champions League titles and an unprecedented treble of trophies in 1999 when leading United to victory in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

He has been a regular spectator at United games since his retirement, watching the team home and away during a time when the club has been in obvious decline on the field.

Ratcliffe assumed control of United's soccer operations as part of his minority investment. The sporting side had previously been under the control of the majority owning American Glazer family.

A new CEO, Omar Berrada, and sporting director, Dan Ashworth, have been installed, while key figures at Ratcliffe’s Ineos Sport, Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, have been appointed to the board.