UEFA have warned that Euro 2020 matches could be in jeopardy, should the coronavirus outbreak in Europe get worse between now and the summer.
Italy, who are due to host four matches at this summer’s finals, is the continent’s worst affected country – with more than 260 cases of the disease having emerged.
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Seven people have so far been killed there by coronavirus – with the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto worst affected.
For Euro 2020 matches to be seriously thrown into doubt, however, the pandemic would have to spread further still.
Host city Rome, set to stage three group matches and a quarter-final clash, has yet to be hit by the deadly disease – and an Italian member of the Uefa executive committee has spoken out on the matter.
Michele Uva told state broadcaster, Rai: “We are at the waiting stage. We are monitoring country by country, and football must follow the orders of the individual countries.
“The sporting path will only be closed if the situation gets worse.”
Serie A was ravaged by coronavirus-related precautions over the weekend, as safety measures were taken in the wake of the outbreak in the country.
Four top flight fixures were postponed on Sunday – including Inter Milan vs Sampdoria at the San Siro.
Napoli’s Champions League clash with Barcelona WILL take place tonight – with Naples so far unaffected.
But it has already been confirmed that Inter’s Europa League round of 32 second leg against Ludogorets on Thursday night will take place behind closed doors.
A whole host of sporting events in China have been cancelled or postponed due to the disease, which originated in Wuhan.
And despite domestic football fixtures having been postponed until at least mid-March in Japan – Olympics chiefs have insisted that this summer’s Tokyo games will NOT be affected by the outbreak.
Inter Milan’s Europa League clash with Ludogorets will take place behind closed doorsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Health Secretary Matt Hancock tells Brits if they’ve been to North Italy to self-isolate if they feel ill
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
