UEFA has today (Wednesday) announced that this year’s Super Cup in Budapest could be used as a pilot match for fan attendance at its events.
European football’s governing body decided in June that the 2020 Super Cup, the annual meeting between the winners of the Champions League and Europa League, which was originally due to be hosted by Porto, will now be played at the Puskás Aréna (pictured) in Budapest on September 24.
UEFA today met via videoconference with all 55 general secretaries of its member associations to discuss in particular the potential gradual return of fans to its matches. The meeting was part of the consultation process that UEFA is currently leading – also closely working with health authorities and governments – to study the feasibility and impact of a potential return of fans in stadiums at club and national team competitions.
UEFA said that today’s participants underlined the need for “strict hygiene and sanitary measures” to be in place to guarantee the health of all those present at a game before allowing fans to return. UEFA mentioned that it would be too early to allow fans into the upcoming national team competition matches to be played at the beginning of September and that test match(es) should take place to study precisely the impact of spectators on current medical protocols.
UEFA suggested to use the Super Cup as a pilot match for which a reduced number of spectators could be allowed in. The outcome of today’s discussions will be presented to the UEFA Executive Committee in the coming days for decisions to be taken.
Earlier in August, UEFA announced Poland, Hungary, Greece and Cyprus could be used as neutral venue hubs for its matches, adding that a review of its behind-closed-doors stance for games was set for later in the month.
This announcement was made after the 2019-20 Champions League and Europa League Round of 16 resumed with matches being played behind closed doors. UEFA last month confirmed that the remainder of the 2019-20 Champions League and Europa League seasons, including the new ‘final eight’ tournaments in Portugal and Germany, would be played out behind closed doors.
UEFA announced in June that Lisbon and Cologne would host the finals of tournaments to conclude this season’s Champions League and Europa League.
Image: Hungarian Football Association
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