June 11 – Amsterdam will remain a host city for next year’s Euro 2020 after its hosting credentials were questioned over the tournament’s postponement.
European governing body UEFA was forced to move its flagship tournament forward a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, casting doubt over the tournament’s pan-European format, but the Dutch capital has become the latest city to commit to staging the delayed finals.
Dutch tournament director Gijs de Jong said in a statement: “I am happy with the confirmation of the status of playing city for Amsterdam. I never had any doubts about this, but something like that had to be properly arranged with the national government, the municipality of Amsterdam, Schiphol and the Johan Cruijff Arena. That has now happened.”
Amsterdam will host three group matches and one last16 decider at Euro 2020. In group C, the Netherlands had been slated to host Ukraine, Austria and a play-off winner at the Johan Cruyff Arena this month. With the confirmation, the Dutch will maintain their home advantage.
Dounts had also been cast over Copenhagen’s commitment to Euro 2020. Next year, the Danish capital will also organize the start of the Tour de France, giving organisers a headache with both events running at the same time. However, the Danes confirmed they would host the four matches that had been mapped out in the original tournament plans.
Last month, UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin said that the number of host venues might need to be reduced for the European championship, but it seems that the 12 members associations, who subscribed to former UEFA president Michel Platini’s view of a truly continental tournament, remain keen on staging the finals. London, Baku, Bilbao, Munich, Copenhagen, Dublin, Glasgow, Budapest, Bucharest, Baku, St Petersburg, Rome would have hosted games starting on June 12.
Brussels dropped out as a host city, failing to deliver on the promise of a brand new stadium. The city’s matches were shifted to London.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1730547294labto1730547294ofdlr1730547294owedi1730547294sni@o1730547294fni1730547294