UEFA has moved to reassure Euro 2020 ticket holders after announcing it will delay Euro 2020 – due to be staged this summer in 12 different European countries – over health concerns and to avoid placing further pressure on national public services.
The governing body for European football told existing ticket buyers and hospitality clients that if they cannot attend the tournament in 2021, the face value of their tickets and packages will be refunded in full.
It added that further information on the refund process will be communicated to existing ticket buyers via e-mail and on its website within the next month.
UEFA, which held a videoconference with all its member federations earlier today (Tuesday), added that the move is also in part to help all domestic competitions, currently on hold due to the COVID-19 emergency, to be completed.
UEFA added that a working group has been set up with the participation of leagues and club representatives to examine calendar solutions that would allow for the completion of the current season and any other consequence of the decisions made during today’s videoconference.
Euro 2020 was scheduled to take place in twelve cities across Europe from 12 June 12 to July 12, 2020. The proposed new dates are June 11 – July 11 2021.
“We are at the helm of a sport that vast numbers of people live and breathe that has been laid low by this invisible and fast-moving opponent. It is at times like these, that the football community needs to show responsibility, unity, solidarity and altruism,” said Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA’s president.
“The health of fans, staff and players has to be our number one priority and in that spirit, UEFA tabled a range of options so that competitions can finish this season safely and I am proud of the response of my colleagues across European football. There was a real spirit of co-operation, with everyone recognising that they had to sacrifice something in order to achieve the best result.
“It was important that, as the governing body of European football, UEFA led the process and made the biggest sacrifice.
“Moving Euro 2020 comes at a huge cost for UEFA but we will do our best to ensure that the vital funding for grassroots, women’s football and the development of the game in our 55 countries is not affected. Purpose over profit has been our guiding principle in taking this decision for the good of European football as a whole.”
All UEFA competitions and matches for clubs and national teams for both men and women have now been put on hold until further notice.
International motorsport, tennis and golf events have also been postponed due to the virus outbreak, while major US leagues and domestic football competitions around the world are also on hold.
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