SM
Plzen vs. Man United: 19 hrs 34 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

FA admits 45,000 fans for Euro 2020 final is "more realistic" than 90,000

:Headline: FA admits 45,000 fans for Euro 2020 final is 'more realistic' than 90,000:
The national stadium was awarded an extra match on Friday when UEFA handed it Dublin's last-16 tie.
Sports Mole

The Football Association is hoping Wembley can be at its full 90,000 capacity for the Euro 2020 final, but accepts 45,000 might be a more realistic target.

The national stadium was awarded an extra match on Friday when UEFA handed it Dublin's last-16 tie, after stripping the Irish capital of all four matches it was due to host. The authorities in Ireland could not provide UEFA with minimum capacity guarantees amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision means if England win their group they will play their first four matches of the tournament at home, before travelling to Rome for the quarter-finals.

It is understood Newcastle's St James' Park was in contention to host games with the Government's backing, but UEFA opted to give Dublin's group matches to the Russian city of St Petersburg where the minimum guarantee is already set at 50 per cent capacity.

The FA has guaranteed a minimum of 25 per cent capacity for England's group games at Wembley but is confident of going significantly higher for the knockout stages.

"We have got until June 2 to tell UEFA what our numbers can be for the round of 16, semi-finals and final," FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham is hoping Wembley will be 50 per cent full at least (Football Association handout).

"Our hope is that we will be 50 per cent full for those games, but clearly that's not our decision, that's for the authorities to make.

"From our perspective we think 50 per cent might be more realistic at the moment, but if the situation improves I would love the final to be full. We want as many fans as possible to be able to experience the Euros."

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan welcomed an additional match coming to Wembley and said: "London is the sporting capital of the world, so of course when Dublin sadly had to withdraw as a venue for the Euros we stepped up.

“It's fantastic that an additional knockout game will be played at Wembley this summer. Now let's hope we top our group so it can be a home game for England.”
- Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

"It's fantastic that an additional knockout game will be played at Wembley this summer. Now let's hope we top our group so it can be a home game for England."

Wembley is due to welcome 21,000 fans for the FA Cup final on May 15 as part of the Government's Events Research Programme (ERP) to examine how to get spectators back into venues in financially viable numbers from June 21.

UEFA's announcement confirmed what many had long expected – that Dublin would miss out on hosting.

Football Association of Ireland chief executive Jonathan Hill said: "The Dublin LOS (local organising structure) partners have worked tirelessly together since the pandemic first struck last year to facilitate the staging of these games.

"The reality here is that circumstances beyond our control have led to the games being moved and we have to acknowledge that public health must come first in a global pandemic.

"This is the end of the EURO 2020 project but the dedication and professionalism of all involved makes everyone at the FAI more determined than ever to bring big games and big tournaments to our country and I am delighted that UEFA have recognised our endeavours by agreeing to work with us on big projects for Dublin and Ireland in the future, including the staging of a UEFA club (competition) final at the Aviva Stadium after 2023 which is something to really look forward to as we enter our centenary year."

Munich's Allianz Arena is set to have a minimum crowd of 14,500 (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Bilbao was the other original host to lose its games. The Basque city's four matches have been moved to Seville instead, where a 30 per cent capacity has been agreed with the local authorities.

Munich has held onto its four matches after being in doubt up until Friday, and has promised a minimum crowd of 14,500 at the Allianz Arena.

Rome will host the tournament's opening match on June 11.

body check tags ::

amp_article__444522 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-04-23 15:48:03:
html db last update - 2021-04-23 15:48:03 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Coronavirus outbreak - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Mark Bullingham

Share this article now:
AG
Read Next:
UEFA to shun Super League sides when pondering Euro 2020 stadium options?
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Mark Bullingham Sadiq Khan Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
UEFA to shun Super League sides when pondering Euro 2020 stadium options?
Man City's misery continues as Juventus claim vital Champions League victory
50 not out: Landmark Salah goal enough for Liverpool against gritty Girona
Saka at the double: Arsenal beat Monaco to move third in Champions League table

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

First signing of Amorim era: Man United 'secure deal' for in-demand wonderkid

NEW

1

FS

Team News: Plzen vs. Man Utd injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

2

TN

Bernabeu return? Mourinho opens door to Real Madrid job

NEW

3

BR

'I was supposed to join another club': Jackson reveals U-Turn for Chelsea transfer

4

'W

Triple fitness boost: Man United confirm squad for Viktoria Plzen contest

5

TF

Where next? Three possible destinations for Man United star Rashford

6

WN

Amorim's rotations: Man United players 'make feelings known' on sweeping changes

7

AR

Wednesday's Champions League predictions including Juventus vs. Man City

8

WC

Jota, Konate, Mac Allister updates: Liverpool injury, suspension list vs. Fulham

9

JK

Chelsea in talks to send Casadei to Serie A club?

10

CI


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .