BILBAO SHOCK PUTS EURO 2020 IN CRISIS
Uefa has been plunged into Euro 2020 crisis after Bilbao was ruled out of hosting games – just hours after announcing it could take 12,000 fans.
The shock news came with Dublin seeming almost certain to lose its four planned Euro 2020 games after telling Uefa it CANNOT guarantee letting fans into the Aviva Stadium.
While the Scottish Government gave the green light for supporters at Hampden Park, Euro chiefs were still left on tenterhooks about the status of both Munich and Rome, due to host the opening game of the tournament.
But the chaos opens up the door to far more games taking place in England, with possibly two more venues required in this country.
Euro bosses’ worst fears appeared to have been ended earlier yesterday despite the admission by the FA of Ireland that Dublin was unable to meet Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin’s demand for fan guarantees.
It had seemed that Ireland would be the only one of the 12 planned hosts who were unable to make the supporter pledge.
That left the Irish capital looking set to be stripped of the three group games and last 16 match it was due to stage – with the growing likelihood that they would be moved to England.
The FA of Ireland said it had reached its position “on advice and guidance” from the Irish Government and was therefore “not in a position at this point to provide assurances on minimum spectator levels”.