UEFA 'monitoring' coronavirus spread – fears could grow for Euro 2020 if situation 'gets worse'
UEFA have stated they are 'monitoring' the spread of coronavirus ahead of a the first cross-continent European Championships tournament this summer
Euro 2020 is under the microscope following the spread of coronavirus across areas of northern Italy with UEFA confirming they are monitoring the situation.
Over 370 cases of the virus have been confirmed in Italy – a host nation for the Euros – with the death toll currently standing at 12 on Wednesday.
Questions have been asked about whether Euro 2020 will be able to go ahead considering Rome is set to host four matches with the first taking place on 12th June.
Speaking to Italian state broadcaster Rai, UEFA executive committee member said: "We are at the waiting stage.
"We are monitoring country by country, and football must follow the orders of the individual countries.
“The sporting path will only be closed if the situation gets worse.”
Italy's Six Nations clash with Ireland on 7th March has already been cancelled in advance while numerous football games have been cancelled or will be played behind closed doors in the coming weeks, including action from Serie A.
Italian sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said: “If the data does not give us different indications, it may well be that from March 2 we will not extend the ban on sporting events.
"We will see how it develops in the next few days.
“But safety and health come before anything else — before a match or before a full stadium.”
Authors
Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.