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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Mathew Davies

UEFA hold Euro 2020 crisis talks amid coronavirus fears as FAW boss speaks of concerns over Italy vs Wales in Rome - reports

UEFA are set to hold talks this week as concerns grow over the European Championships this summer amid coronavirus fears.

The virus has already wreaked havoc with other sporting competitions, with the Six Nations in chaos and uncertainty surrounding the remaining fixtures.

Ireland vs Italy in Dublin next weekend has already been postponed, as well as the Under-20s and women's games, and England's trip to Rome later in the month also appears to be up in the air at present.

And now football chiefs are acting, with a meeting set to take place in Amsterdam to discuss the Champions League knockout stage matches and the Euros this summer

The Sun report that at this stage chiefs are insistent that the matches will go ahead and that the international tournament remains on schedule.

The competition takes place across Europe, with Wales playing two games in Baku in Azerbaijan, with their final group-stage match against Italy in Rome.

Italy is currently the worst affected country in Europe; five Serie A matches this weekend were called off because of the virus, with 1,128 cases and 29 deaths recorded to date.  

Aaron Ramsey's Juventus were due to face AC Milan yesterday but will now face each other in May after originally being told that games would be held behind closed doors.

And Wales chiefs confirmed that health matters will dictate the outcome of the fixture against Italy and that things may change should the virus remain prevalent come the summer.

Wales FA chief executive Jonathan Ford said: "We're due to be playing Italy in Rome during the Euros but it has to be health first, sport second."

Coronavirus: Confirmed cases around the world

Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland all face Euro 2020 play-off matches this month, with England also set to play friendlies against Italy and Denmark.

Irish FA chief Patrick Nelson said: “We’re keeping in close contact with Uefa.

“I know Uefa and ourselves are in direct contact with the World Health Organisation and we will take whatever advice we receive.”

And England FA chief executive Mark Bullingham admitted: “It’s a government decision. We have the games planned and will speak regularly to the government.”

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