Euro 2020: Wembley Stadium could have 50% capacity for Euro knockouts

Euro 2020: Just hours away from the first match of Euro 2020, football fans in England and Europe have some good news as the UK government is considering a plan to allow fans at least 50% of Wembley Stadiums for the knockouts. That means, Harry Kane & Co’s England could hope for thundering support for their matches.

While nothing has been finalised yet, the Football Association and the UK government are in talks to allow at least 40,000 fans even if the current plans for easing restrictions are delayed. At present, only 25% of the 90,000-capacity stadium or 22,500 people are allowed for the first two group stage games — both England’s matches. Once the discussions are finalised, the plans must be sent to the UEFA in the coming days as per a BBC report.

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Euro 2020: Wembley will host England’s all three Group D games against Croatia, Scotland Czech Republic. It will also host two Round-of-16 matches besides the two semifinals and the final on July 11. Out of 11 venues, Wembley Stadium will host 8 matches, most amongst others. Russia’s Saint Petersburg Stadium will host 7. Other venues are in Munich, Rome, Baku, Budapest, Seville, Bucharest, Copenhagen and Amsterdam.

But for other venues, crowd presence will be greater with Hungary allowing a full crowd while others will let 50% of the stadium capacity in. However, due to the pandemic, it will not be a straight-cut process for fans this time. Each fan will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test report before entering the Wembley Stadium.

“The first priority, second priority and third priority at a tournament is always fan safety. It’s important for everybody that we have spectators back — it represents a step towards normality for all of us in society. But, with that, we ask that supporters are sensible and plan ahead. Come on time; don’t rush to the stadium. Wear a mask. Keep a distance from others when possible and make safety a priority in all that you do,” Martin Kallen, the CEO of UEFA Events, told Associated Press.

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Euro 2020: The UK has already begun allowing fans back to the stadiums starting May 17. In the Premier League’s last two matches, up to 10,000 people were allowed back in the stadiums. For England’s friendlies against Austria and Romania, 7,000 fans were allowed at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.

Furthermore, ongoing England vs New Zealand Test series has allowed fans with up to 18,000 allowed for the match at the Edgbaston. The ICC WTC Final between India and New Zealand will also have a crowd presence in Southampton.

The test events began in May with the FA Cup final allowing 20,000 fans at the Wembley besides the World Snooker Championship final also have a capacity crowd on May 3.

Football