COVID-19: Dublin stripped of Euro 2020 matches, UEFA unable to obtain “assurances” on measures against coronaviruses | UK News

Dublin’s Aviva Stadium has been barred from hosting four of this summer’s Euro 2020 football matches due to coronavirus concerns.

Wembley Stadium will now host one of the matches – a last 16 clash – and St. Petersburg will host the others.

Catherine Martin – Ireland’s Minister for Tourism, Culture, the Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media – said she had “hopes” to host a “fantasy tournament” at the championships in June.

“However,” she said, “despite our commitment to host the games, the public health situation meant that we were unable to give UEFA the assurances it needed sooner. this month regarding the guarantee of a minimum spectator participation rate at Euro 2020 in Dublin. “

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The move means Wembley will now host a total of eight matches – three group matches, last two draws, the two semi-finals and the final.

Four games that were to be played in Bilbao, Spain have also moved – to Seville.

Fans who had tickets to the Dublin matches were reassured that they will receive a refund.

UEFA has promised these ticket holders that they will have priority access to seats at the reassigned venues.

A UEFA spokesperson said: “UEFA would like to thank the Irish Football Association and their dedicated staff for their excellent collaboration and hard work.”

The 16th UEFA European Championship takes place from 11 June to July 11.

Out of the 12 original host cities, 10 across the continent remain selected as sites, with Dublin and Bilbao abandoned, and Seville added.

Euro 2020 was originally scheduled to take place between June 12 and July 12 of last year, but has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.