A top UEFA official has claimed that Euro 2020 could yet be played in ONE country next year.
The finals were due to take place this summer in 12 European cities, but have been kicked back to June 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dublin is one of the hosts with four matches - three group games and a Last 16 encounter - lined up at Aviva Stadium. And the FAI remains fully committed to those games.
UEFA are hopeful that all 12 venues will stay the same for the delayed tournament - which will officially be known as ‘Euro 2020’.
But UEFA Executive Committee member Zbigniew Boniek - the famous ex-Polish international - claims a one-country finals cannot be ruled out.
“The Euros had to be postponed but I think next year’s tournament is also threatened in some way,” said Boniek, who played under Giovanni Trapattoni at Juventus.
“The formula provides for games in 12 countries and today, nobody can say what countries will still have issues - if any - with the virus.
“UEFA had no choice but to postpone, but the issue of this Euro being played in one country will come back again.
“It would be the safer option, but that is also only my private opinion and I don’t want to speak too much about it.”
Boniek is also the president of the Polish Football Association and he told TVN24: “Hopefully the tournament will take place as planned.
“The lack of a competition would cause huge financial losses but the situation around the world today is totally unique.”
Turkey was the only country to bid for Euro 2020 outright, but missed out in favour of a continent-wide approach to celebrate the tournament’s 60th anniversary.
