November 6 – UEFA says it has overseen 61,859 Covid-19 tests since August, allowing more than 500 European matches to be played and making football one of the safest environments in the world.
UEFA was strongly criticised by some for continuing with games during the pandemic but says only 340 tests have been positive – 0.55% of the total – and only 3% of matches have had been cancelled.
“The (protocol) that we put in place is robust and ensures the safety of all those involved, even in these trying times when the pandemic is progressing across the continent,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. “It gives us confidence that our competitions will be played as planned.”
“It is a tribute to those involved and it demonstrates that matches can be played safely.”
UEFA said that, on average, there had been 53.9 tests per team, per match, and fewer than half the positive results had been from players.
“UEFA’s Return to Play Protocol made professional football among the safest environments in the world,” it added.
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