After trying to save time, UEFA is coming to grips with the growing importance of the coronavirus epidemic in Europe. The European football governing body announced this Friday morning in a statement that "all the Champions League and Europa League matches will not take place next week".
Regarding the queen competition, the Manchester City - Real Madrid and Juventus Turin - Lyon matches had already been postponed to a later date. Barcelona - Naples and Bayern Munich - Chelsea are also now on hold.
The postponement of Euro 2020 in the pipes
"In light of the development of the Covid-19 epidemic and in connection with the decisions of various governments, all the UEFA club competitions scheduled for next week have been postponed," said a statement. (…) Decisions concerning the postponement date of these meetings will be communicated in due time. "
UEFA also announces the postponement of the draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League and the Europa League originally scheduled for Thursday 20 March. This concerns directly the PSG, qualified Wednesday against Dortmund (2-0, 1-2 to go), and who will not know his future in competition on March 20, so as expected.
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These measures are being taken pending the major telephone meetings scheduled for next Tuesday with all the European partners. After procrastinating and facing the stoppage of most major championships, UEFA is preparing to implement a scenario envisaged for a few days: it concerns the postponement of Euro 2020 to 2021, hoping to be able to complete the competitions club in progress at the end of the season, if the sanitary situation allows it.