"I will work to ensure that the final of the European football championships is not played in countries with high infections. We work for the finals in Rome". With these words the premier Mario Draghi drew attention to the final act of the football review. The President of the Council he spoke about it on the report at the summit with Merkel. The premier explained to the press: “There are no big bilateral problems that we need to discuss, perhaps the only question is about National soccer teams. We have different positions but we are both loyal. And the Italians play well ".
European football championships, the Final Four in London
The rise of positive cases in England opened to the hypothesis of a change of location. Cases are on the rise and the plan for reopening has been abruptly halted. A complicated situation considering that the Final Four of the European Football Championships should be held in London. The stadium that will host the matches will be Wembley but the Delta variant frightens and creates concern. Draghi's jab, however, should fall on deaf ears considering the position taken by UEFA. In fact, if the headquarters are moved, the alternative is Budapest in Hungary. Furthermore, 'plan b' has been shelved. The case appears to have been resolved given UEFA's request to the English government to increase the capacity of to 65 thousand spectators Wembley for semifinals and final (so far it had been 22.500 spectators).
Uefa and FIGC against Draghi's idea
Uefa has just published a press release where it clarifies. The Federation rejects any hypothesis of moving the headquarters: "UEFA are pleased that Wembley capacity will increase to at least 50% for knockout stage matches". In the note, UEFA underlines how the goal is to allow fans to attend matches. To do this, they must comply with "to strict prescriptions on prophylaxis and boils, according to which their stay in the UK would be less than 24 hours and their movements would be limited only to approved transport and places ”. We are confident that the final week will be held in London".
Gabriele Gravina, president of the FIGC, also expressed himself on the subject. According to the number one of the Federation "There are no conditions to be able to think, from the organizational point of view, of a final four in Rome or Budapest". For now, therefore, the discussion remains closed. However, a declaration of Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister, strangely still silent after the utterances of the last few hours.
Photo source in evidence: Instagram @azzurri
