THE Women’s European Championships could be renamed after being officially shunted back 12 months to 2022.
England will still host the tournament, which was due to be staged at ten venues in eight towns and cities next summer before the impact of the coronavirus crisis on world sport.
The women’s Euros have been officially postponed until 2022Credit: Rex Features
With the Olympics and Euro 2020 already pushed back to 2021, Uefa chiefs had no option but to make a similar move with the women’s Euros.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus in sport live blog for the latest news & updates
The decision has cost the FA the services of Lionesses’ coach Phil Neville, who has decided to step down next summer when his contract runs out.
Now Uefa have confirmed the tournament will be played from July 6 to July 31 in 2022, using the planned venues including a Wembley final.
But European chiefs held open the possibility of a rebranding of the tournament to reflect the new date.
In a statement announcing the change, Uefa conceded: “Further details, including potential amendments to the match calendar or the name of the tournament, will be announced in due course.”
The decision was inevitable although Uefa have liaised with the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 organisers to schedule a “Women’s Super Sunday” with the Euros final following on from the gold medal match in the Games T20 cricket tournament.
Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin said: “When we had to take an urgent decision on the postponement of Euro 2020, we always had the impact on the Women’s Euro 2021 in mind.
“By moving it, we are ensuring that our flagship women’s competition will be the only major football tournament of the summer, providing it with the spotlight it deserves.”
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – BE IN THE KNOW
Get the latest coronavirus news, facts and figures from around the world – plus essential advice for you and your family.
To receive our Covid-19 newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, added: “The sporting calendar must adapt while the world tackles something much bigger than sport.
“This decision will ultimately benefit the tournament, creating its own window in the football calendar.
“It will also allow us all more time following this challenging period to deliver an unforgettable event befitting of a home Euros.”
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www.thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
Beth Mead capitalises on goalkeeper howler to give Lionesses first win in six games against Portugal in friendly
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
