Uefa has reportedly threatened to move the Euro 2020 final from England's Wembley stadium to Budapest if the UK Government doesn't relax Covid-19 coronavirus travel rules for thousands of VIPs
Ministers will now discuss proposals to exempt Uefa and Fifa officials, politicians, sponsors and broadcasters from having to self-isolate on arrival in the UK, reports The Times.
Approximately 2,500 VIPs attending Wembley fixtures would not have to follow the quarantine rules imposed on standard travellers.
The Times says they would "be allowed to attend matches... during the knockout phase of the tournament as well as training sessions and meetings with the UK government".
Cabinet ministers are understood to accept the move could anger millions of Britons who are unable to take holidays abroad - but fear the semi-finals and final will be moved if they do not grant the exemption.
From next week, Hungary will have no border restrictions for travel within the Schengen zone - and can host dames with full stadiums.
Yesterday, UEFA said it had not given up hope that the UK Government would making Covid quarantine concessions for overseas fans in the final stages of Euro 2020.
Tournament director Martin Kallen saying: “We have seen some signs that there could be a possibility.”
The Government has announced the final four Euro 2020 matches at Wembley will be played in front of at least 40,000 spectators after they were included in its extended Events Research Programme which allows for crowds over the usual 10,000 upper limit.
However, it has given no indication at all that it is prepared to relax quarantine rules, which mean as it stands a supporter coming from an amber list country would need to test negative before departure, isolate for 10 days upon arrival in the UK and provide two negative tests in that time before going to watch a match.
The possibility of a relaxation looks even more remote in the context of rising infection rates due to the Delta variant of coronavirus, which have prompted the Government to delay the final easing of restrictions until July 19 – after the Euros have finished.
But Kallen struck a positive note at a UEFA briefing on Thursday.
“We are in discussion for the knockout rounds, especially the semi-finals and final, on this question to have also overseas spectators,” he said.
“We are in discussion every day with the authorities and we hope to come to a good conclusion with the English government.”
Asked if it was realistic that the Government would grant concessions, Kallen added: “I hope so. At the moment it is too early to say it but we have seen some signs that there could be a possibility.
“But it’s too early to give a clear answer, we have still some time on that side.”
Kallen told the PA news agency on June 4 that he hoped an agreement could be reached on overseas spectators.
At that time, a Government spokesperson said: “Overseas ticket holders will be able to watch Euro 2020 matches at Wembley but will be subject to travel restrictions and requirements in England and at their place of origin, including testing and quarantining. There are no plans to change travel exemptions for ticket holders.
“We continue to work very closely with the FA and UEFA to support a fantastic Euros and to communicate the latest travel guidance to fans. We will keep this under review over the course of the tournament.”
He did accept the rise in infections meant it was now unlikely the capacity for any of the matches at Wembley – including the final – would go beyond 50 per cent.
