THE club versus country battle has raged for years – but now we know for certain what matters most.
Uefa’s looming decision to sacrifice Euro 2020 for a year in order to play out club games on hold because of coronavirus is the clearest possible signal.
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As always, club will beat country when push comes to shove
Due to be held in 12 countries across the Continent, it was to be a festival of football.
And Uefa announced last week it was setting up a working group to look at alternative plans, including moving games from cities unable to host fans.
While holders of any of the 2.5million tickets sold will be frustrated, common sense suggests Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin will make the sensible decision after Tuesday’s conference call with European football’s stakeholders.
Ceferin and Co heard pleas from Euro league bosses and national associations.
The Premier League is still going ahead this weekend and with fans, with the EFL following suit after calls between the two leagues and the FA yesterday afternoon.
INEVITABLE
But there is an inevitability of matches being played behind closed doors, with contingency plans being formalised.
That is likely to come into effect next week. Premier League chiefs are eager to get the season finished and remain on track.
Elsewhere, uncompleted campaigns and hastily introduced play-offs cast shadows.
Fears over potential legal suits from the clubs affected by promotion, relegation and Euro qualification are also a factor.
Uefa is ready to listen to the demands for help by extending the season into what was due to be the Euro 2020 window.
But the move will also allow the delayed latter stages of the Champions League and Europa League to be played.
Options at an emergency meeting include some ties being settled by single games rather than over two legs although that would be a last resort.
Moving the Euros will also take away the pressure to force teams to play in this month’s play-offs against their will.
For Uefa, the tough call looks the best call. Club first, country second. As it always has been.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
