Coronavirus: UEFA calls for “not to overreact” before C1 and Euro-2020

Published on : 03/03/2020 – 20:40Modified : 03/03/2020 – 18:40

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Amsterdam (AFP)

UEFA called on Tuesday to “not overreact” in the face of the intensifying epidemic of new coronavirus, refusing by the voice of its president Aleksander Ceferin to “think of the worst-case scenario” concerning Euro-2020, and now for the next Champions League games.

“The schedule is busy and each postponement (of the match) could be problematic,” insisted UEFA general secretary Théodore Theodoridis at a press conference in Amsterdam after the Congress. “We approach the situation in our contacts with the WHO and the various governments. We must intervene on a case by case basis, we must not overreact”.

While several championships see some of their matches postponed, as in Italy, or even suspended until April, as in Switzerland, UEFA says it is “informed” of the situation, but refuses for the moment to discuss possible postponements of Champions League or Europa League matches, expected from next week.

Thus, the Juventus-Lyon matches, or from 11 March Paris SG-Dortmund, remain as they are in their initial configuration. “In my opinion, nothing has yet been decided. We must be attentive, wait and remain patient,” said Parisian coach Thomas Tuchel on Tuesday, explaining that a possible closed session would be “a handicap” for the PSG.

The European organization has launched a “coordination group” in cooperation with European Leagues, the association of European leagues, to “find the best answers” to the spread of the virus.

For the moment, only one European match has been disrupted in its organization: Inter Milan-Ludogorets, which took place behind closed doors on behalf of the C3 on Thursday.

– “Confidence” before the Euro –

As for the risk run by Euro-2020 scattered in 12 European countries in a new format and whose kickoff is scheduled for June 12 in Rome, Italy, precisely the country most affected by the Covid- 19? “You don’t realize how many worries you can have when organizing a competition. There are safety issues, political issues. The virus is another concern,” said Aleksander Ceferin.

“We are dealing with it and we are confident. We think we can manage the file well. Let’s try not to think about the worst-case scenario,” added the Slovenian leader.

Earlier in the morning, FIFA president Gianni Infantino made a similar speech while addressing the UEFA Congress. “The most important thing is cooperation with the authorities, but also not to panic,” said the leader.

© 2020 AFP

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