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Dublin won't host any Euro 2020 matches, UEFA confirms

Dublin will not host any matches for this year's Euro 2020 tournament, UEFA has confirmed. Irelan...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

12.17 23 Apr 2021


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Dublin won't host any Euro 202...

Dublin won't host any Euro 2020 matches, UEFA confirms

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

12.17 23 Apr 2021


Share this article


Dublin will not host any matches for this year's Euro 2020 tournament, UEFA has confirmed.

Ireland had been due to host four matches as part of the multi-city tournament.

The competition had been due to take place last year, but was delayed due to the pandemic.

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Dublin's role was cast into doubt after it became clear the Government and the FAI couldn't commit to having spectators in attendance due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions.

UEFA required at least 25% capacity at stadiums for matches - something Leo Varadkar acknowledged this week would make it 'hard for it to go ahead' at the Aviva Stadium.

Three of the Dublin matches will now take place in Saint Petersburg, while the fourth 'round of 16' match is being moved to Wembley Stadium in London.

All tickets bought for the Dublin matches will be cancelled, and all ticket buyers will receive a full refund.

Bilbao also now won't any of the planned games for the tournament this summer.

However, Munich - which had also been in doubt - will host games, after authorities there confirmed they'll be able to welcome a minimum of 14,500 spectators.

In a statement, UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis said:  “UEFA acknowledge the disappointment within Irish football that we have had to take this decision but we have made a commitment for fans to be part of the UEFA EURO 2020 Tournament.

"We just cannot have a game without any fans and an empty stadium at EURO 2020. We fully understand that it was very difficult for the Dublin LOS to find a way to make this possible within the necessary timeframe."

Sports Minister Catherine Martin said the Government was hopeful plans could move ahead.

However, she said they "were not able to give UEFA the assurances they required earlier this month in relation to guaranteeing minimum spectator attendance levels".

Main image: Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

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