Developers of the proposed Eurostadium in Brussels, one of the assigned venues for the Uefa Euro 2020 national team football tournament, have been given until November 20 to present all relevant permits to start construction on the project.
Uefa, the governing body of European football, has also requested that a realistic and guaranteed construction scheduled be presented by this date. Brussels risks losing Euro 2020 hosting rights, with work on the Eurostadium yet to begin.
Uefa’s Executive Committee has asked the Uefa Administration to begin a fast-track process to develop a replacement option for the Eurostadium, which has experienced difficulties since being selected as a host venue.
The replacement options are Cardiff’s Principality Stadium (pictured), Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden and London’s Wembley Stadium.
Uefa noted that Wembley, which has already secured the main semi-finals and final hosting package, is the only current host with availability to stage all the matches currently scheduled to be held in Brussels.
The Uefa Executive Committee will make a final decision on the matter on December 7.
The Football Association Wales welcomed Uefa’s decision to place the Principality Stadium on standby as a replacement for the Eurostadium.
“Naturally the FAW are delighted to be given this opportunity,” chief executive Jonathan Ford said, according to the BBC.
“We will work hard to once again produce a strong case for the games to be played in Cardiff and will use the experience of the Champions League to demonstrate what a success we will make of hosting these matches.
“It would be fantastic for Welsh football to not only qualify for the Euro 2020 finals but also to stage some of the key matches.”
Principality Stadium hosted the Uefa Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus earlier this year.
Image: Seth Whales
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