UEFA will allow host cities to upscale plans for supporters to attend Euro 2020 matches should conditions around the coronavirus pandemic improve, it is understood.
The European governing body has asked for the 12 host cities – including Dublin, Glasgow and London – for their proposals on how many fans they expect to be able to accommodate by today, April 7th.
Dublin has three Group E games, involving Poland, Slovakia and Sweden, as well one of the ties in the knock-out stage.
There is some uncertainty, though, as to whether the Aviva Stadium will be in a position to welcome supporters due to travel restrictions and limits on mass gatherings.
A Government spokesman said assurances on minimum spectator levels could not be currently provided given the state of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the UK government has announced plans for a number of test events – including a 21,000 crowd for the FA Cup final on May 15th – with a view to having Wembley full for at least some European Championship games.
Wembley will see England open their Group D campaign against Croatia on June 13th, before then welcoming Scotland on June 18th followed by the Czech Republic.
The stadium is also set to host one last-16 game as well as both the semi-finals and then final on July 11th.
🗺️ 1st player you think of when you see London? pic.twitter.com/c8EZojcRyE
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On Tuesday, Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was optimistic there would be a “reasonably good number” of supporters at Hampden for matches against the Czechs on June 14th and then Croatia eight days later.
The Italian Football Federation, however, said it had been told by the government that Rome’s Stadio Olimpico would be able to welcome spectators for Euro 2020.
Following the submissions, a meeting will be held on Thursday of the EURO Steering Group, which consists of the 12 national associations and UEFA.
It is understood that once hosts have submitted the scenarios, they will be allowed to come back to UEFA before April 28th with an increased view on how many supporters they could accommodate.
The governing body is understood not to be pushing the deadline back as such, but rather allowing venues to upscale if conditions around the coronavirus pandemic get better in the coming weeks.
