ENGLAND World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst last night backed PM Boris Johnson’s offer to host the Covid-hit Euros here.
Sir Geoff declared the bid to bring football home again would “recapture the spirit of ’66” when his hat-trick saw off the Germans in the final.
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Sir Geoff Hurst has backed Boris Johnson’s offer to host the Covid-hit Euros in the UKCredit: Fame Flynet
Twelve nations are due to stage the Euros, with the semis and final at Wembley.
But in a move heartily backed by The Sun, Boris offered our stadia for the whole tournament amid our jabs success.
Sir Geoff said staging this summer’s European championships here would bring joy to the country’s pandemic-hit footie fans.
He told The Sun: “I know a thing or two about the joy having a summer tournament on home soil can bring.
“Winning the World Cup as the home nation — I enjoy it daily. So let’s recapture that spirit of ’66 — we could all do with that now.”
The move to hold the tournament here comes as the UK’s vaccine rollout has surged ahead of the continent’s.
Sir Geoff was part of England’s winning 1966 World Cup squadCredit: Rex Features
Hosting the whole of the Euros could give a massive £1billion boost to the UK economyCredit: Reuters
It means while fans may not be allowed at stadia in the EU by the June 11 date of the opening game, around 10,000 supporters should be able to attend matches here.
And with all restrictions scheduled to be lifted in England, we should have full stadia by June 21.
That would include 90,000 in Wembley, which is already hosting the semis and final in July.
Staging the Covid-delayed Euro 2020 here would be a huge economic boost worth about £1billion.
And Sir Geoff, 79, who hit a hat-trick in England’s 4-2 World Cup final triumph against West Germany at Wembley in 1966, declared it could be a reminder of those glory days.
He said it could also recreate the magical summer of 1996 when Baddiel and Skinner sang Football’s Coming Home and Gazza led England’s Three Lions to the brink of triumph in the Euros.
It’s been a long time since we had a tournament and on top of it arriving at the end of the pandemic, it will be fantastic
Sir Geoff Hurst
Sir Geoff added: “The crowds will be enormous and celebratory when they are allowed in to see the Euros.
“There’s nothing like it. It’s been a long time since we had a tournament and on top of it arriving at the end of the pandemic, it will be fantastic.”
The footie hero, one of more than 20million Brits who have already had their first jab, was speaking after the PM told The Sun the nation stood ready to host the tournament.
Sir Geoff believes the vaccine rollout will free the country to do it.
He said: “After all this pandemic nightmare we have encountered, the vaccine is fantastic news and the way we have produced the vaccine in comparison to many countries in the world is outstanding.
“That is the only way out, getting vaccines to everybody in the country and we are ahead of most people doing it.
Boris Johnson, pictured in 2010, says England stands ready to host the tournamentCredit: PA:Press Association
“We are all in this together.
“And with our world-class facilities and passionate fans we can give Europe — and the rest of the world — a tournament that everyone can be proud of and remember forever.”
The nation may have to compensate other countries for losing tournament games, estimated at around £3million per match in lost TV, advertising and other revenue.
But hosting the whole event could give a £1billion boost to the UK economy.
Mr Johnson has already told The Sun that the nation was on standby to take on more games.
He said: “Any other matches they want hosted, we are certainly on for that!”
German tabloid jibe at Johnson
GERMANY is doubtful it can stage the Euros and tabloid Bild yesterday appeared to accept the idea of England doing so — with a jokey “You Get The Euros, We Get The Trophy” offer to Boris Johnson.
And Whitehall sources say they stand “ready and waiting” for the call from Uefa to stage the entire summer showpiece.
It would hand a much needed boost to the hospitality sector after a crippling lockdown.
British Beer & Pub Association boss Emma McClarkin said: “The Euros going ahead in the UK after a torrid 18 months would be the perfect kick-off for our recovery. The pub is the home of football.
“There would be nothing better than a home festival of football to kick off a fantastic summer in the nation’s pubs.
“We have all missed it and it would give pubs a huge boost which they need now more than ever.”
England superfan Mark Knapper, 62, who first went away to watch the Three Lions against West Germany in 1978, said supporters would be “over the moon” if it happened.
Sir Geoff, 79, is one of more than 20 million Brits who have already had their first Covid jabCredit: Rex Features
There could be a full house at Wembley by the time skipper Harry Kane leads England out for their final group gameCredit: Getty – Contributor
Twelve nations are due to stage the Euros, with the semis and final at WembleyCredit: Alamy
He said: “Everywhere in Europe knows the UK is doing so well with its vaccine rollout, so I think it would soften the blow as it’s not a case of, ‘Sorry lads, you can’t do it’.
“It’s a case of we think this is probably the safest option rather than having people travel all around Europe.”
“I’d love it. I think it would be fantastic and I remember how good Euro 96 was.”
Tournament chiefs at Uefa last night welcomed the PM’s offer to stage the whole tournament — or host matches that other countries are unable to fulfil.
One source told The Sun: “It is great for us that England is so keen to play its part this summer.”
MAJOR DOUBT
Uefa plans to confirm the tournament schedule by April 7.
That is the date they have ordered the 12 planned host cities to confirm their willingness to stage games.
But Uefa is demanding all hosts commit to staging games with fans inside grounds.
Only England will be far enough advanced with its vaccination programme by the June 11 opener.
Ireland has already cast major doubt on its ability to host matches in Dublin.
Spain, Italy and Germany are all either in or facing new lockdowns.
But there could be a full house at Wembley by the time skipper Harry Kane leads England out for their final group game against the Czech Republic on June 22.
It is likely only UK-based fans would be allowed to attend games.
Only UK can get fans in grounds
By Martin Lipton, Chief Sports Reporter
THE Euros — already delayed by a year because of Covid — are supposed to be held in 12 cities across the Continent.
As well as Wembley, matches are due to be played at Glasgow’s Hampden Park, Dublin, Amsterdam, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Munich, Rome, St Petersburg and Azerbaijan capital Baku.
But Uefa chiefs now insist all host nations commit to games with fans.
And by the start of the tournament on June 11 only the UK is likely to be so far advanced with its vaccination programme to be in a position to safely do so.
Nine host countries say they could take fans but have not submitted concrete proposals.
But Dublin has already said it could struggle and Spain, Italy and Germany also have major doubts.
That means at least 15 matches may shift to England — if not the whole tournament.
They would include the first game on June 11, due in Rome between Italy and Turkey.
If England does stage the tournament it is likely only UK-based fans could attend.
Last month’s announcement on crowds would mean around 10,000 allowed at Wembley for England’s matches against Croatia on June 13 and Scotland on June 18.
But if the jabs programme accelerates that could increase to around 30,000 at all grounds staging early group matches.
After all restrictions are due to be lifted on June 21, the full 90,000 capacity at Wembley could be used for England’s last group game against the Czech Republic on June 22 and all subsequent matches including the final and semis.
Fans may be asked to produce a vaccine passport or certificate to get in.
Manchester’s Old Trafford and Etihad stadiums, Anfield in Liverpool, Villa Park in Birmingham and both St James’ Park in Newcastle and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light could be used for matches.
In London Wembley, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Arsenal’s Emirates and the London Stadium used by West Ham are all possibles.
Uefa decides on April 7.
The Sun Says
IT’S impossible to imagine the Euros being held safely in full stadiums across 12 European cities this summer.
The EU vaccine rollout is in disarray. Many nations there doubt they will have fans back in grounds by then.
Here, good news keeps coming. So, as 1966 World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst says, why not let England host the lot?
Our jabs, almost 21million now done, are slashing hospitalisations and deaths. The case rate nationwide is the lowest since last September and falling.
Some eight million of us now live in areas with zero cases, or close to it.
PHE even reckon the vaccines may stop Covid spreading almost entirely.
The Government’s sluggish timetable for our June 21 liberation looks out of date. If our progress continues without setbacks we can shave a few weeks off it.
And Uefa should let us host a magnificent tournament before capacity crowds . . . all safely jabbed up.
England boss Gareth Southgate backs bid to stage Euro 2020 matches in UK
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