Dublin is on the brink of relinquishing its status as a host city of Euro 2020.
The FAI has informed UEFA that they are not in a position to provide assurances regarding a minimum number of spectators inside the Aviva Stadium.
Dublin is one of twelve host cities for the first pan-continental European Champions, but is likely to be the only one of the twelve to have to pass up its card of matches.
The Group E meeting of Poland and Slovakia on June 14 remains scheduled for the Aviva, followed by Sweden and Slovakia four-days later. Sweden will then play Poland at the Lansdowne Road venue on June 23.
A last-16 game - possibly involving England - is slated for the Aviva on June 29.
UEFA is believed to have requested that all host stadia be able to operate at at least 25 per cent capacity for the Euros. Such a number would represent almost 13,000 fans inside the Aviva.
The FAI say the matter will be kept under review, with a final decision from UEFA expected later this month.
Should the Aviva be unable to fulfil hosting duties, some - if not all - of the four games could be handed off to Wembley Stadium.
The Spanish Football Federation confirmed that Bilbao's San Mames Stadium will be at at least 25 per cent capacity come June.
The Scottish FA say Hampden Park will operate at up to 25 per cent for their slate of matches.
We have confirmed in our #EURO2020 submission to UEFA that the Scottish Government has given approval to allow spectators at Hampden Park up to 25% of the stadium capacity.
We anticipate a further update on a number of areas – including ticketing – from UEFA on Friday. https://t.co/FaAf500iBr pic.twitter.com/d6krFOG9TA— Scottish FA (@ScottishFA) April 7, 2021
FAI statement:
The Football Association of Ireland, on advice and guidance from the Government, has today notified UEFA that owing to the COVID-19 pandemic it is not in a position at this point to provide assurances on minimum spectator levels at the UEFA EURO 2020 matches due to be held in Dublin in June.
In so doing, we have advised UEFA that the matter will be kept under review and that the Dublin LOS team including Government will continue to discuss all issues with UEFA on an ongoing basis.
All partners of the Local Organising Structure – Government, the FAI, Aviva Stadium and Dublin City Council - recognise the challenges presented by spectator attendance at Aviva Stadium for the scheduled hosting of four matches at EURO 2020 this summer and that public health issues are the most important consideration in the organisation of the project.
FAI Chief Executive Jonathan Hill said: “We have made our submission to UEFA today and now await their response once submissions from all 12 host cities have been received and considered.”
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