Future of Euro 2020 and CL up in the air as UEFA calls crisis meeting

UEFA will hold a crisis meeting next week, European football’s governing body announced on Thursday, as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to force the postponement of Euro 2020 and the ongoing Champions League.

A video conference will be held “to discuss European football’s response to the outbreak” next Tuesday “in the light of the ongoing developments in the spread of COVID-19 across Europe and the changing analysis of the World Health Organisation.”

The meeting will involve representatives from all 55 national associations and club and player bodies. One possible solution for the European Championship could be to delay the tournament by a year until 2021.

UEFA has also cancelled upcoming matches in the men’s and women’s under-17 and under-19 European Championships, due to take place between March 14 and April 14.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Champions League last 16, second leg with Real Madrid and Lyon’s trip to Juventus became the latest high-profile football matches to be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, UEFA confirmed on Thursday.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for the virus, forcing players and staff of the Italian champions into quarantine.

Madrid players have also been put into isolation after one of the club’s basketball players tested positive for COVID-19. Both matches were due to take place on March 17. As it stands, Wednesday’s two last 16, second legs between Bayern Munich and Chelsea and Barcelona and Napoli are still set to go ahead behind closed doors.

“The decision to postpone Tuesday’s game was made in conjunction with UEFA and follows confirmation that players from Real Madrid will self-isolate for fifteen days,” City said in a statement.

“The Club sends its best wishes to the players and staff at Real Madrid’s football and basketball teams.”

Serie A in Italy, the European country worst hit by the virus, has already suspended its matches until April 3.

Matches have been suspended for two weeks in Spain, while France’s Ligue 1 will continue its season but without spectators. No such restrictions have been put upon Premier League games with a full round of games set to take place this weekend.

City’s home match with Arsenal that was due to take place on Wednesday is the only Premier League game to be abandoned so far after Arsenal players came into contact with Olympiakos owner Vangelis Marinakis, who tested positive for the virus, after a Europa League match two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has been in quarantine in Madeira for several days but is not showing any symptoms of the coronavirus contracted by a juventus team-mate, local authorities in Portugal said on Thursday.

“Ronaldo left Italy a few days ago and his isolation hasn’t just started now,” said Pedro Ramos, a member of the Madeira regional government in charge of health.

“Both the athlete and his family are symptomless,” he added during a news conference.

“The players, members of staff and all those who came into contact (with Rugani) are in voluntary isolation. Ronaldo... is in Madeira and is staying there until further notice,” the Serie A club said.

Ronaldo travelled to his home town of Madeira last week to visit his mother who suffered a stroke.

“The player visited his mother because the health services were able to guarantee all the safety conditions, for him but also for everyone who has been in contact with him,” said Ramos.

Portugal on Wednesday suspended flights to and from Italy until March 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Portuguese health authorities on Thursday reported a total of 78 infections in the country.

Agence France-Pressse