LONDON — More than 60,000 fans will be allowed to attend the
semi-finals and final of Euro 2020 at
Wembley with attendance increased to 75
percent of capacity, the British government announced on Tuesday.
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The matches will see the largest crowds assembled at a sporting event in
Britain for more than 15 months, with numbers previously strictly limited due
to the coronavirus pandemic.
All ticket holders at Wembley will need to follow a number of strict entry
requirements, including having a negative Covid-19 test or proof of full
vaccination.
There has been no announcement on the outcome of talks between the
government, the Football Association and European football's governing body
UEFA over a solution to allow up to 2,500 VIPs to attend the final on July 11
but a deal now appears more likely.
"We have worked extremely closely with UEFA and the FA to ensure
rigorous and tight public health measures are in place whilst allowing more
fans to see the action live," said culture and sport secretary Oliver
Dowden.
"The finals promise to be an unforgettable moment in our national
recovery from the pandemic."
UEFA had stressed there were no plans to take the semi-finals or final away
from Wembley, despite the stumbling block of quarantine-free travel, and
president Aleksander Ceferin welcomed the announcement of the increased
capacity.
"The last 18 months have taught us, both on and off the pitch, how
integral fans are to the fabric of the game," said Ceferin.
"This tournament has been a beacon of hope to reassure people that we are
returning to a more normal way of life and this is a further step along that
road."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's official spokesman earlier gave an upbeat
message on the issue of the VIP attendance but declined to confirm whether an
agreement had already been reached with UEFA.
"We're looking forward to putting on a fantastic semi-finals and final
at Wembley and will do so safely and securely," he said.
The Puskas Arena in Budapest had been floated as a potential alternative
should the matches not be able to go ahead in London, while Italian Prime
Minister Mario Draghi also suggested Rome could step in.
He voiced concerns over the increase in coronavirus infections in Britain.
The highly contagious Delta variant, first detected in India, has fuelled a spike
in new cases in Britain and forced the government to delay planned reopenings.
The government has a difficult path to tread, with any decision to ease the
rules for UEFA officials and sponsors likely to prove controversial.
The ability of British people to travel on holiday has been restricted by
rules enforcing a strict period of self-isolation or quarantine on their
return.
England take on the Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday and the stadium in
northwest London is also set to host five knockout games, including both
semi-finals and the final.
Some of the biggest events in Britain's summer sporting calendar, including
Wimbledon and international cricket matches, will also go ahead with greater
capacities as part of the latest phase of the government's pilot program to
test the return of large crowds.
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