Euro 2020 is experiencing a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to UEFA, the tournament will now commence in June 2021. If the initial program had gone on as scheduled, Euro 2020 was going to cover the territory of 12 countries, as a commemoration of the 60 years since the first European Championship in 1960.
Due to the decision to change the dates for Euro 2020, UEFA is currently encountering issues regarding other events planned for Summer 2021. The Women’s European Championship, the European Under-21 Championship, and the Nations League were supposedly happening in summer next year. According to the updates from UEFA, there is a need to adjust the timing of these tournaments as well. It is still unclear how drastic the changes in schedule will be.
Aleksander Ceferin, the president of UEFA, stated that in such circumstances, it is essential for the football community to demonstrate such qualities as unity, solidarity, and responsibility. He mentioned that the good health of fans, staff, and players is the top priority and thanked his European colleagues for understanding and support regarding compliance with safety measures.
Along with Euro 2020, a vast majority of sporting events this year are experiencing a delay or cancellation. Formula 1, NBA, NHL, Kentucky Derby, and even the Olympic Games in Tokyo are shifting their schedules to help prevent the spread of the novel virus.
ITV’s Special Summer Program
The current pandemic and its consequences are influencing everyone who is involved in the organization of the happenings, including athletes, media, venues, betting businesses, and, of course, sports fans. Even though there were a lot of grand events coming up for this summer, the plans are rapidly changing.
As the summer agenda of international football is not relevant anymore, television channels had to look for some engaging alternatives. To cheer up its viewers, ITV is offering a replacement for the audience, broadcasting records of tournaments from years before. For instance, England fans will have a chance to see the national team’s way up to the semi-finals of Euro 1996.
Starting in May, football fans will have an opportunity to watch all the football games of Euro 96 from the archives of ITV. England was the hosting country of Euro 96 and managed to succeed in the matches with Scotland and the Netherlands during the group stages. The games contain a lot of memorable moments, including the legendary goal of Paul Gascoigne against the Scots.
Paul Mortimer, Head of Digital Channels and Acquisitions at ITV, claims that there is hardly something that can unify the nation as the fever around Euro does. He shared that since the championship is currently experiencing a nearly 12-month delay, he believes it is crucial to give the audience an opportunity to immerse into one of the iconic football tournaments, Euro 96. He added that thanks to ITV4 and the ITV Hub, there will be no lack of great sports and football classics in broadcast for the viewers to enjoy during the summer months.
