Agency Report — Italy have launched a late bid to attempt to hijack England’s hosting of this summer’s Euro 2020 final, as the FA close in on a deal with UEFA. High-level talks have been taking place after UEFA threatened to strip Wembley of the match due to the UK Government’s quarantine rules for visitors from European countries.
Without an exemption, those rules would mean that up 2,500 foreign media and VIPs would have to go into isolation after arriving in the UK.
The ability for UEFA to invite these dignitaries to the final is almost certain to determine whether Wembley will be allowed to keep the final.
England’s national football stadium is currently slated to host both of the tournament’s semi-finals and the final.
But despite the final group stage matches being played on Wednesday, UEFA could still make a drastically late change to the final’s venue.
One option that they governing body were considering was Hungary, who’s coronavirus restrictions are much more relaxed than the UK’s.
A new contender has now emerged as a potential venue, with Italian news website Repubblica reporting their home country has entered the race.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has hosted a news conference where he outlined Italy’s reasons for making the offer.
“I will try to stop the final being held in a country where infections are rising quickly,” Draghi told reporters.
The final unlocking stage from lockdown restrictions was postponed by the UK government until mid-July – after the final takes place.
With coronavirus cases on the rise, the Italian government now wants England to be stripped of hosts hosting duties.
But in a blow to Draghi’s hopes, the Daily Telegraph now reports that a deal is close to being struck between UEFA and the FA to keep the final at Wembley.
They state that an announcement could be made as soon as today that up to 2,500 VIPs will be exempted from quarantine for the match.
It is also reported that a small number of fans from the two countries playing in the final could also be handed exemptions.
Wembley could also be up to three-quarters full to increase capacity to 60,000, which would match Hungary’s offer.
UEFA have stated that they hope the tournament finals stay in London, with talks continuing.
“Uefa, the English Football Association and the English authorities are working closely together successfully to stage the semi-finals and final of Euro in Wembley and there are no plans to change the venue for those games,” they said in a statement.
