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17.03.2020Bayer 04

Völler on Euro 2020 postponement: Appropriate and sensible

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has postponed the European Championship planned for this year to the summer of 2021 (11 June to 11 July) due to the coronavirus pandemic. That was decided by the UEFA executive committee in a video conference on Tuesday that involved representatives of all 55 member associations, national leagues and the European Club Association (ECA).
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And a decision was also reached in relationship to the Champions League and the Europa League. Both competitions, currently paused, remain suspended until further notice.

Völler: Sound decision

Rudi Völler, Bayer 04 sporting managing director, welcomed the UEFA decision: “The postponement of EURO 2020 by a year is absolutely appropriate and sensible. That gives national leagues the time and opportunity for all of them to complete their competitions in a fair and equitable fashion. With this sound decision by UEFA, clubs plus national and international associations – always taking into account the prevailing health scenario – have been given the necessary room for manoeuvre with current competitions. Bayer 04 Leverkusen will now face the big challenges posed by coronavirus with greater resolve, do everything to protect players and members of staff and beyond that, in co-operation with all the other clubs, work to bring the season to a successful conclusion.”

Hradecky: Health comes first

And Lukas Hradecky, the Werkself and Finland goalkeeper, fully understands today’s decision: “We Finns have been waiting 80 years to get to the finals of a major football tournament. So a couple of months won’t make much difference to my Euro dream coning true. Of course, health comes first. Don’t forget: It’s also a chance for players ruled out by serious injuries to be able to take part.”

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