UEFA discuss postponing Euro 2020

Uefa will discuss on Tuesday a rescheduled date for this summer’s Euro 2020, with reports suggesting an expected delay in the championships will allow the 2019/20 Premier League season to be completed.

The European football calendar has been thrown into disarray by the coronavirus pandemic, with the five major leagues suspending competition until further notice.

The Premier League was the last to take action, but late on Friday announced matches had been postponed with immediate effect. An April 4 date has been set as the earliest the league could resume.

However, much will depend on the outcome of Uefa’s emergency meeting, which is set to take place on Tuesday via video conference calling. It is believed European football’s governing body will discuss moving their marquee tournament as well as the Champions League and Europa League. Both competitions have also been suspended.

Originally scheduled to run across the continent from June 12-July 12, moving the Euros to the summer of 2021 appears the most likely outcome, although a report in The Telegraph claims the 55 member associations will also discuss the possibility of playing the tournament this December.

Should that happen, it could then allow the Premier League and other club competitions to be completed this summer. The next World Cup is to be played mid-season – the first time the global finals will not take place in summer – with the Qatar tournament running from November 21-December 18 2022. That move had already caused the major European leagues to make provisions in their calendar to compensate for the disruption.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the impact of the pandemic, there remains significant doubt the English top-flight will resume at the beginning of next month. Premier League clubs are expected to meet again on Thursday.