The countdown begins. The organizers of Euro-2020 will remain 100 days on Wednesday to refine the preparations for a tournament in unprecedented format in twelve countries, with a major unknown around the coronavirus which is already shaking up European football. Tickets, stadiums, transport, security, visa: three months before the opening match between Italy and Turkey on June 12 in Rome, everything seems to be in working order. But the shadow of the new coronavirus, an epidemic from China and which now affects the European continent, casts a veil of uncertainty.
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If the subject was added to the menu of the UEFA executive committee on Monday in Amsterdam, the governing body of European football, contacted by AFP, is reassuring for the time being. “UEFA is in contact with the international and local authorities responsible for the coronavirus and its development. For the moment, there is no need to change anything in the planned schedule, ”says the organization chaired by Aleksander Ceferin. However, the epidemic of new coronavirus exceeded Monday the death toll of 3,000, including more than 50 identified in Italy, the most affected country in Europe.
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In the land of "calcio", the calendar has already been shaken up in response to the spread of the Covid-19. Inter Milan organized their Europa League match behind closed doors on February 27 against Ludogorets, and ten Serie A matches were postponed. In this context, the supporters themselves begin to question the maintenance of the continental tournament, at least in its original scheme. "We start talking about it, we wonder" but what happens if the Euro is pushed back? " These are things that happen, we can consider everything, ”says Kin, an active member of the Irrésistibles Français group, to AFP.
Euro 2020: the 12 stadiums in 12 photos
- In images, in pictures
Despite this, fans of the 20 teams already qualified - 4 more will be at the end of the play-offs at the end of March - continue to organize for the big crossover of the summer, with trips to several European cities. All the host stadiums are "operational", in particular the Puskás Arena in Budapest (the only enclosure built for the event) inaugurated in November, and "the necessary transport infrastructure is also in place well before the start of the tournament", underlines the 'UEFA.
In Romania, where the modernization of four Bucharest stadiums intended for training has been promised, doubts have been expressed in recent months by the head of government himself, Ludovic Orban. "The work has not advanced an inch for four years," he said in November, implicitly questioning the previous majorities.
Ticketing success
One thing is certain, this tournament, which took place all over Europe, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the supporters, according to the figures issued by UEFA. The body based in Nyon, Switzerland, claims to have received more than 28 million ticket requests, twice as many as Euro-2016 organized in France, while three million tickets have been sold up to 'now. Following the dams on March 31, other sesames will be available for the followers of the winning countries. Regarding travel to Russia and Azerbaijan, UEFA also claims that the procedures will be quick and easy. The “Fan ID” system in place during the 2018 Russian World Cup will be renewed. "This means that supporters in possession of a valid ticket for matches in St. Petersburg, who have requested the Fan ID online, will be able to enter Russia without a visa" between May 30 and July 3. Those wishing to go to Baku will need to apply for an electronic visa. "The service is fast and visas can be requested and received in just a few days," promises UEFA. Will the celebration of European football be total? Or will the coronavirus crisis come at the last minute? Response in the coming days and weeks.
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