Wembley will still have Euros crowds of at least 22,500 even if Freedom Day is delayed but fan zones are in doubt and pubs say any deal in lifting Covid rules could force them to close
- Discussions have taken place in government over allowing more fans to attend
- This will be for round of 16 games, as well as semi-finals and finals, up to 45,000
- But sources said no agreement reached on capacities for the knock out stages
- It comes as pubs called for a bailout if Freedom Day is moved while Euros are on
- Meanwhile a 3,000-strong fan park in Glasgow got the green light from officials
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here.
Euro 2020 matches at Wembley will be exempt from lockdown rules and will host a minimum of 22,500 fans even if Freedom Day is delayed.
Discussions have taken place in government over allowing more fans to attend the two round of 16 games, as well as the semi-finals and finals, up to 45,000.
But sources told Sportsmail on Friday no agreement had been reached on the capacities for the knock out stages.
It comes as pubs called for a cash bailout if Freedom Day is moved back and they have to work under restrictions during the football.
UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls said ‘it’s vital further financial support is forthcoming’ because ‘major sporting occasions always offer bumper sales’.
Meanwhile an official claimed the 3,000-strong fan zone in Glasgow will be one of the safest places to watch the tournament.
Chris Weitz, senior sport development officer at Glasgow Life, said he is confident it will be a safe environment.
But the London Assembly refused to be drawn on whether the official fan park in Trafalgar Square will go ahead.
Discussions have taken place in government over allowing more fans to attend the two round of 16 games, as well as the semi-finals and finals, up to 45,000. Pictured: Fans in London in May
Work begins at Trafalgar Square in central London on the building of a new fan zone last week
Sources told Sportsmail on Friday no agreement had been reached on the capacities for the knock out stages. Pictured: Dougie’s Tavern, in Hebburn, South Tyneside
Under existing roadmap rules, sports events are limited to 10,000 supporters, or one quarter of the stadium capacity, if it is lower.
The three group D matches are set to be played at Wembley, when England will play Croatia on Sunday, Scotland on June 18 and the Czech Republic on June 22.
They have already been designated test events, trialling the use of Covid certification. Those games have a capacity of 22,500.
The government is expected to also make the five games in the knock out phase to be test events.
It would enable ministers to increase the attendance above the 10,000-fan threshold, should the transition in step four be put back from June 21.
UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls said ‘it’s vital further financial support is forthcoming’ because ‘major sporting occasions always offer bumper sales’
The FA has told UEFA it will allow a minimum of 22,500 fans at each game and sources have been adamant that government will not row back on that commitment.
But there are fears pubs will struggle if Freedom Day is moved back, as is expected later this month.
Bosses called for a government bailout if they do not let them open up more from June 21 because sports events help sales.
UKHospitality CEO Ms Nicholls told MailOnline: ‘Major sporting occasions always offer the chance of bumper sales in pubs and bars and we all remember scenes of home nations fans cheering their respective teams on to memorable victories.
‘However, we will only see a repeat if the respective UK Governments stick to their roadmaps and doesn’t push the sector into extra time and penalties.
‘Social distancing measures and reduced capacity means they will be unable to fully capitalise on the tournament.
‘Pubs and the whole hospitality sector is in a fragile state, a quarter of venues are still shut and those that are open are unable to turn a profit.
‘Any delay will harm businesses that have experienced forced closure and severely disrupted trade over the past 15 months and will push many closer to the cliff edge of failure, meaning more job losses.
‘Should the timings slip and restrictions remain, it’s vital that further financial support is forthcoming.’
For Scottish fans who cannot get a ticket for their matches, the fan zone in Glasgow is expected to stay open.
Up to 6,000 people a day, split into two sessions, will gather in Glasgow Green to watch matches on every day of the tournament.
Concerns have been raised about the safety of the event amid the pandemic, with fans not required to take a lateral flow test before attending.
Edinburgh University Public health expert Professor Linda Bauld said the fan zone is ‘not without risk’, though Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said it is ‘low risk’.
Final preparations are under way in Glasgow Green ahead of the opening of the fan zone on Friday, with supporters able to watch matches on four giant screens.
Mr Weitz, from Glasgow Life, said that he is confident the event will be a safe environment.
He said: ‘We’re expecting people to come to the fan zone and enjoy the games in what I would describe as one of the safest places they could come to watch the football matches, we’re outside, the tables are separated, two metres social distancing.
‘We’ve adhered to guidance, we’ve worked closely with the Scottish Government and other partners taking advice on what measures we need to have in place, and we will continue to do so.
‘This fan zone will be one of the safest places to watch the Euro matches and we are very confident of that and we’ve worked so hard to ensure that will remain so for the 31 days.’
For Scottish fans (pictured last night) who cannot get a ticket for their matches, the fan zone in Glasgow is expected to stay open
Up to 6,000 people a day, split into two sessions, will gather in Glasgow Green (pictured last night) to watch matches on every day of the tournament
The event area has a capacity of 80,000 but just 3,000 fans are permitted at each of the two sessions per day, with a break between them to allow the site to be cleaned.
Physical distancing measures will be in place across the fan zone and spectators will be required to wear a face covering when moving around Glasgow Green.
Though they can be removed when seated at their table in the Beverage Garden or seated or standing in the family area.
Mr Yousaf said Glasgow City Council will contact every fan zone ticket-holder to encourage them to take a lateral flow test at home before attending.
He urged everyone with a ticket to any session to test before arrival.
Guidance says: ‘We are strongly encouraging all ticket-holders and their groups to take a rapid lateral flow test before attending the fan zone to help stop the spread of Covid-19. This should be taken at home less than 48 hours before attending.’
A fan zone festival will also take place over 23 days of the tournament, with entertainment such as music, comedy and dance when there are no matches and on the majority of afternoons when there is only an evening match.
Euro 2020 is being played at venues across Europe this summer – including Hampden Park in Glasgow – after being postponed last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, following a meeting with fan zone organisers, Mr Yousaf announced a review team had been created to continuously monitor safety at the event.
He said: ‘Planning has been meticulous to minimise the risks of transmission. The venue is outdoors with capacity for more than 25 times the number of tickets for each session, allowing for ample physical distancing.
‘In addition, there are comprehensive stewarding, cleaning and contact tracing provisions in place and everyone attending will also be asked to take up the offer of twice-weekly rapid lateral flow testing.
‘As we have always said, the situation with the virus will be continually monitored during Euro 2020 and as part of that ongoing work I have today set up a review team, made up of the Government, city council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Public Health to provide continuous advice on the ability of the fan zone to continue to operate safely.’
England’s coronavirus R rate is higher than at any time since October at a minimum of 1.2 and possible high of 1.4, SAGE estimated yesterday
Public Health England data show how it took just a matter of weeks for the Indian ‘Delta’ variant to smash past the Kent strain and take over as dominant in England, with it surging to make up 96 per cent of cases in just nine weeks
Boris Johnson is preparing to push Freedom Day back to July 19 as scientists warned the Covid threat has ‘gone up a gear’.
The PM is understood to be planning to announce a four-week delay to the roadmap at a press conference on Monday as the Indian – or Delta – variant causes havoc.
In a glimmer of hope, he is expected to say the situation could be reviewed again in a fortnight if hospitalisations stay low.
Ministers are scanning the latest data this weekend ahead of the final decision next week.
But the backlash from Tory MPs and the public could be limited as long as the timetable does not slip beyond the school holidays.
A poll today suggested just a third of the public want the total lifting of restrictions to go ahead as originally laid out.
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