UEFA Says No Plan to Take Away Euro Semis, Final from Wembley

UEFA has no plans to replace Wembley as host stadium of the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final. (AFP)
UEFA has no plans to replace Wembley as host stadium of the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final. (AFP)
TT
20

UEFA Says No Plan to Take Away Euro Semis, Final from Wembley

UEFA has no plans to replace Wembley as host stadium of the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final. (AFP)
UEFA has no plans to replace Wembley as host stadium of the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final. (AFP)

UEFA has no plans to replace Wembley as host stadium of the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final, European football’s governing body said, after Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi called for the final to be moved from Britain due to rising COVID-19 cases.

The United Kingdom recorded 10,633 new cases of COVID-19 and five deaths on Monday, taking its toll to 4.63 million confirmed cases and 127,976 total deaths, according to a Reuters tally.

UEFA said on Friday it had a contingency plan to take the final away from Wembley unless the UK agreed to exempt travelling foreign fans from 10-day quarantine rules.

“UEFA, the English FA and the English authorities are working closely together successfully to stage the semi-finals and final of EURO in Wembley and there are no plans to change the venue for those games,” a UEFA spokesperson said in an emailed statement on Tuesday.

Wembley is scheduled to host the semi-finals on July 6 and 7 before the July 11 final.

Italian PM Draghi said on Monday he was in favor of hosting the final in Rome, rather than in “a country where infections are rising quickly”.

The Times newspaper reported on Friday that Budapest was the alternative venue being considered if Wembley was not able to accept travelling supporters.



Salah Penalty Seals Victory for Premier League Leader Liverpool against Wolverhampton

Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 16, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 16, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
TT
20

Salah Penalty Seals Victory for Premier League Leader Liverpool against Wolverhampton

Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 16, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 16, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)

Liverpool restored its seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win against Wolverhampton on Sunday.

But Arne Slot's team had to hold off a fightback from relegation-threatened Wolves at Anfield, which included a brilliant long-range goal from Matheus Cunha.

First-half strikes from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah secured the win for Liverpool and ensured it maintained its advantage over second-placed Arsenal.

Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target after the break as Wolves dominated the chances.

Diaz bundled the ball over the line from close range in the 15th minute to give the home team the lead. And Salah doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 37th after Diaz was brought down.

It was the Egypt international's 28th goal of an outstanding season.

But if the home crowd was expecting a routine victory against Wolves, it was anything but.

Cunha's drag-back and curled finish from around 20 yards (meters) in the 67th came after a sustained period of pressure from the visitors.

Before that Marshall Munetsi was denied when through on goal — it took a crucial block in front of goal from Jarell Quansah to prevent him from converting late on.