Three group matches and one round of 16 will take place in Glasgow’s Hampden Park
Glasgow and Dublin are increasingly in danger of being struck off the list of hosts for this year’s European Championship.
With less than 100 days until the late euro, Uefa wants each of the countries that host games to submit their plans – including for the return of fans – by April 7th.
The organizers are still hoping to host games at the 12 venues as planned.
However, the Scottish and Irish governments have yet to assure fans that they will be allowed to return by June.
And Uefa are increasingly concerned that they may have to rob Glasgow and Dublin of their games.
Both Hampden Park and Aviva Stadium are about to play the fourth leg.
According to a source with knowledge of tournament planning, the position of fans in Dublin and Glasgow is “very bad” right now and their respective governments “are much closer to Covid than other cities”.
On Wednesday, Scottish Health Minister Jeane Freeman said it was “a big deal” for her country to be part of the euro.
But she added that fan participation depends on “we all sticking to the rules,” cases falling and vaccines being picked up.
“We should definitely be able to celebrate our national team that plays in euros and hopefully wins in euros and we will see if at any point along the way it is possible for fans to actually be there to do so to testify, “she said said.
It is understood that the next few days will be crucial and that the Scottish Government is aware of the need for clarity.
The Euros are Scotland’s first major tournament in 23 years.
Last week, the Irish Football Association said it still plans to see fans at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium for the Euro, but admitted that it would only remain a venue if it could guarantee Uefa that spectators would be allowed in .
The Irish government’s restrictions on viewers will remain in place until at least April 5th.
The UK government has announced that up to 10,000 spectators will be allowed on English premises from mid-May and an unlimited number of spectators from June 21st.
Earlier this week Prime Minister Boris Johnson said England could host more than the seven games currently being played at Wembley if Uefa need to step in.
It is assumed that the football association is in principle ready to host additional games in England if the Uefa so requests. According to sources, however, there has been no such request so far.
“It looks bleak” analysis
Chris McLaughlin, sports news correspondent for BBC Scotland
Given some of the conversations I’ve had, things look pretty bleak at this stage. I don’t think the Scottish government is determined to move to take the risk that UEFA poses. They just think it’s too early.
We may be able to have fans in the stadiums in June, but Uefa want assurances now. I do not think the Scottish Government will take the risk – as they see it – to give these assurances. I think it might just be too late and right now it looks bleak.
“Uefa needs 30-35% of the stadium capacity to make a profit.”
Keep talking Podcast of the Euro Leagues from BBC Radio 5 Live, German soccer expert Raphael Honigstein said he expected more venues to be unable to host games.
“I think there will be a carving and the cities will retreat,” he said. “Next month is the deadline for Uefa to get guarantees [the grounds] can give Uefa enough access to make a profit.
“You need 30-35% of the stadium’s capacity to make a profit and that is what matters. I’m not sure even a place like Munich, where all the German games take place, is able to say that we will be. ” good in June ‘.
“With that 30% capacity, Uefa doesn’t have traveling fans and I think Wembley will too.
“It’s less of a problem than if it were all played in one country, and if the Champions League is still pending, then Uefa has a degree of flexibility. It’s more doable and less of a nightmare than if it were just planned.” in Germany or France for the entire five weeks. “
