By Andrew Warshaw in Astana
March 26 – A handful of countries who initially expressed interest in staging matches at the pan-European 2020 finals have pulled out of the running, UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino (pictured) revealed today.
The multi-venue finals, brainchild of UEFA boss Michel Platini, are to be staged across 13 cities, with an April 25 deadline for official dossiers to be submitted from interested parties and a final decision due to be taken by UEFA’s top brass in September.
Originally 32 associations declared their interest in bidding for host city status but that has now been narrowed down.
“In the end we will probably have around 25 associations presenting a formal bid in April before the big decision in September,” Infantino disclosed following a meeting of the UEFA executive committee without naming those no longer interested.
Meanwhile, UEFA is keeping a close eye on events in Ukraine and the status of the two top-flight clubs based in Crimea.
Russian authorities have gone on record as making it clear they expect the two clubs concerned to switch to the Russian domestic league come the end of the current season but for the moment UEFA is standing back.
“The situation is known by everyone,” said Infantino. “But as yet we have received no official request from anyone to deal with this matter. The situation is evolving every day and for the moment we are not taking a position. It’s such a delicate issue and whatever is said now could be misinterpreted.”
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