Coronavirus: Italy calls for Uefa to postpone Euro 2020
Italian Football Federation wants to prioritise completing the Serie A season
The Italian Football Federation has called for the postponement of Euro 2020 so it can complete the Serie A season.
According to BBC Sport the Federation would prefer to prioritise its domestic season over the European Championships, which are scheduled to begin on 12 June and run until 12 July.
The Federation president Gabriele Gravina will table the motion on Tuesday at an emergency meeting of Uefa.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Like all domestic leagues in Europe, Serie A has been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic and in an interview with broadcaster Sportmediaset, Gravina said: “We will propose that Uefa postpone the European Championship.
“We will try to get to the end of this championship [Serie A] because it is fairer and more correct after the many investments and sacrifices of our clubs.”
Coronavirus stops sport: what is cancelled or postponed?
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Uefa summit
Representatives of Uefa’s 55 member associations have been invited to participate in Tuesday’s video conference meeting, which will also involve the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues, and a representative of world players’s union Fifpro.
The BBC says that “discussions will cover all domestic and European competitions, including the possible postponement of Euro 2020 by one year”.
The Italian Football Federation’s declaration is a change to its initial position, which was an acceptance that the Serie A season may not be completed or an abbreviated version involving play-offs would be implemented.
But Gravina’s ambition is to recommence the league in early May and complete it by 30 June, a month later than scheduled.
“If the league were to resume at the beginning of May, I would leave the question of training for the moment,” he said. “Let’s leave the boys at home, they have to recover physical and mental energy.”
Today’s back pages
Tyson Fury faces fresh probe over farmer’s claim and Mason Mount defies Chelsea’s self-isolation ban
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
This is what you should know about State Department travel advisories and warnings
In Depth Stay safe on your international adventures
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Wembley Euro 2020 final disorder ‘seals the deal’ for 2030 World Cup bid hopes
feature England handed one-match stadium ban and an £84,560 fine by Uefa
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Euro 2020 final: ‘why would football want to come home to this anyway?’
feature England’s defeat to Italy is marred by racial abuse of players and disgraceful behaviour of fans
By Mike Starling Published
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Italy vs. England: ‘warriors’ Chiellini and Bonucci prepare for battle
Why Everyone’s Talking About Veteran defensive duo embody the spirit and passion of the Azzurri
By Mike Starling Published
-
Euro 2020 final: Italy vs. England preview, predictions and team news
feature Is football coming home or will it be going to Rome?
By The Week Staff Published