Should England be the sole host of the Euros?

Euro 2020 has already been delayed to the summer of 2021; there were fears that the competition could be delayed further or called off altogether due to the ongoing pandemic, but a solution may have been found.

The European Championships were meant to celebrate their 60th anniversary by being held in 12 different locations across Europe, however those plans now look very unlikely given the situation.

British PM Boris Johnson has stated that he is willing to host every game in the 2021 edition of the Euros in England, whilst also hoping to put forward a bid for the 2030 World Cup.

BeIN Sports representative, Tancredi Palmeri, has now confirmed that the competition is “very likely” to be held solely in England.

They have vaccinated over double the next UEFA country with the most vaccines administered

This is reportedly a result of Britain’s rapid vaccine rollout when compared to other European countries. They have vaccinated over double the next UEFA country with the most vaccines administered – Turkey.

The vaccine rollout is happening at a similar rate in Scotland and Wales, and so the games meant to take place at venues in those countries – namely at Glasgow’s Hampden Park and Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium – may go ahead regardless of the changes.

This factor leaves the competition very much in the hands of the UK, with the likelihood being Britain welcoming 23 other teams to our shores this summer.

Now, then, comes the question of whether England is the right choice.

With the situation constantly changing, as it has done throughout the pandemic, it is difficult to say for sure whether the UK will be the country in the best position to host this summer’s tournament.

As things stand, the UK’s R rate is speedily declining, and with the vaccination program moving as quickly as it has, it is easy to see why UEFA see England as a strong candidate to host the tournament.

However, as much as I would love the prospect of potentially seeing huge international clashes right on my doorstep for the first time in my lifetime, I think it would be unwise on UEFA’s part to award England with this honour so hastily.

Recently, Boris Johnson released his ‘roadmap’ detailing England’s route out of lockdown, and the eventual complete alleviation of restrictions.

As I mentioned earlier, the situation can change very quickly, and should one of the Prime Minister’s proposed phases not go according to plan, there is every chance that the UK could take several steps backwards ahead of the summer’s games. For example, we are yet to see the effect that the reopening of schools will have on the rate of COVID infections.

England’s current hopes of securing this summer’s Euros relies on the vaccination program not only continuing to be rolled out at the same or a faster rate, but also working consistently across all who have received the jab to ensure there is no further spread of the virus.

Should it be made clear that, for whatever reason, the program has not fulfilled its aims, or the roadmap isn’t going as initially intended, it could create a real headache for UEFA in the lead up to the competition, and a race against time for the UK to move into position to host the tournament risk-free.

Having said that, this is an issue that is likely to be present no matter where UEFA decide to host the Euros this summer, and with players coming from across Europe to compete, the risk of players and staff bringing in infections – as seen in the Australian Open – should not be disregarded.

Perhaps, then, it may be unwise in general simply to allow the Euros to go ahead at all.

However, should England’s vaccination plan move forward smoothly, and provided the players and all staff associated with the national football teams are also vaccinated, I see no reason why the competition shouldn’t be hosted here in England.

It’s going to be touch and go right up until kick-off, but let’s hope for the sake of football and for the sake of public health in general, that the PM’s plans work as intended, and we can all enjoy a long summer of football and festivals, all just a train journey away.