Glasgow to retain its place as a host city for Euro 2020

Scotland v Kazakhstan – UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying – Group I – Hampden Park
(Image credit: Steve Welsh)

Glasgow will retain its place as a Euro 2020 host city despite the admission by UEFA president Alexander Ceferin that up to three of the 12 confirmed venues could be axed.

Ceferin acknowledged this week that some cities are facing “issues” in regard to getting ready for the event, which will now be staged in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic but will still be known as Euro 2020.

Hampden Park is scheduled to host three group games and a last 16 tie, and city officials have moved to quell speculation by confirming their status. UEFA announced on Monday afternoon it was pushing back its executive committee meeting from May 27 to June 17 because of “remaining open points” concerning certain host cities.

Euro 2020 File Photo

Euro 2020 has been postponed due to the coronavirus crisis (John Walton/PA)

A spokesperson for Local Organising Committee Glasgow said: “The formal confirmation letter was sent on 14 May to the UEFA Euro 2020 Operations Director, Sharon Burkhalter-Lau, together with all the required accompanying documentation.

“This followed extensive discussions with all relevant stakeholders and partners involved in hosting the tournament in Glasgow since the March 17 postponement decision.

“We look forward to Hampden Park, Glasgow and Scotland as a whole playing a key role as co-hosts of a memorable UEFA EURO 2020 next year.”

Chelsea v Arsenal – UEFA Europa League – Final – Olympic Stadium

Baku is on the list of 12 Euro 2020 host cities (Steven Paston/PA)

Euro 2020 had originally been due to kick off on June 12 and take place across 12 cities – Amsterdam, Baku, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Glasgow, London, Munich, Rome and St Petersburg.

Although Ceferin did not specify which cities are in danger of being cut, it has previously been reported that Bilbao and Rome are among those to express doubts due to the high personal and financial toll of the coronavirus.