FA chiefs will fly out to Amsterdam today for emergency talks over the impact of the coronavirus.
After Health Secretary Matt Hancock hinted the Government could ban all major public gatherings, forcing matches to be played behind closed doors, England’s Wembley friendlies with Italy and Denmark this month seem increasingly unlikely to go ahead.
FA chiefs will fly in to Amsterdam today for emergency talks over the impact of the coronavirusCredit: PA:Press Association
That would have a massive impact on the last few weeks of the domestic season as well.
But Wembley bosses will meet Uefa’s high command ahead of European football’s annual Congress to hear the latest advice.
That could mean Champions League and Europa League matches also being played without fans over the coming weeks, after public bans instituted by the Italian, Swiss and French governments.
It also casts doubt about Euro 2020, due to be played in 12 countries across the continent in June and July.
Former Manchester United chief David Gill will attend today’s meeting of Uefa’s executive committee on behalf of the FA, when President Aleksander Ceferin will come under pressure to detail the next moves.
So far the FA position is that all scheduled games, including the Italy friendly will go ahead, unless the government steps in to demand postponements.
But FA chief executive Mark Bullingham confirmed: “Sure there will be discussion in Amsterdam this week, you’d expect that.
“Fundamentally we have to go on the advice that the Government give us and we have to rely on that.
“We’ll continue to work with Government to assess every game.
“We’ve got lots of other teams around that have to go travelling and we monitor every team. “So we speak to the Government very regularly on their advice, and we will follow Government advice.”
Benjamin Mendy passionately sings Wonderwall alongside Noel Gallagher in Wembley locker room
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
