FOOTBALL’S world body Fifa will today accept the postponements of Euro 2020 and Copa America 2020 until next year because of the coronavirus.
The Club World Cup, which is due to be played in summer next year, will also be discussed, with that tournament set to be postponed either until later in 2021 or the following two years.
In a statement, Fifa president Gianni Infantino, pledged a direct contribution from the body of $10 million (£8.2m) to the World Health Organisation’s Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
“To protect the interests of all stakeholders and competition organisers, whether they be national, continental or worldwide, I have called for a bureau of the council conference call tomorrow to see how we can progress matters collectively,” Infantino said.
READ MORE: Euro 2020 play-off and Scottish Cup semi-final announcements to be made following UEFA talks
“During this call, I will suggest the following next steps: to accept the postponements of the 2020 Copa America and the Uefa Euro 2020 to the June/July of 2021; to decide at a later stage – when there is more clarity on the situation – when to reschedule the new Fifa Club World Cup, later in 2021, in 2022 or in 2023.”
Four Euro 2020 matches were due to be played in Scotland. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said again that there is no current need to cancel this year’s Tokyo Olympic Games. In a communique, the IOC said it was an “unprecedented situation” for the world.
“We are in solidarity with the whole of society to do everything to contain the virus,” it said.
READ MORE: Euro 2020 suspended by UEFA until 2021 due to coronavirus outbreak, say Norwegian FA
“The situation around the Covid-19 virus is also impacting the preparations for the Olympic games in Tokyo, and is changing day by day.
“The IOC remains fully committed to the Tokyo games, and with more than four months to go before the games there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage.”
Canadian health expert Dr Michael Gardam said yesterday that it would take “a miracle” for the games to go ahead.
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