WEMBLEY TO KEEP FINAL GAMES

 

It appears almost certain now that Wembley Stadium will hold on to the two semi-final matches and the final of Euro 2020. The British Government delay in easing all restrictions until July 19th had placed a question mark over its ability to host anything like the number of fans originally envisaged.

Now Wembley will be given an exemption under the Test programme for public events.

The attendance to date has been 22,500 or 25 per cent of capacity. For the Round of 16 game between Italy and Austria on Saturday, and for a potential Quarter Final involving include that will double to 50 per cent or 45,000.

For the Semi-Finals and the Final, it will increase to 60,000 fans.

The Government has also bent on its own policies of self-isolation with separate requirements being introduced for VIP’s, dignitaries and sponsors coming in for the final being permitted to attend the games and other functions outside of their isolation.

All the countries still involved are on the UK’s Amber list meaning they should be isolating for ten days. Exemptions are already granted, with some restrictions remaining in place for players and backroom teams of the participating teams.

 

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MUNICH TO FLY THE RAINBOW FLAG

 

The German FA has been refused permission to light up the Allianz Arena in rainbow colours ahead of tonight’s Group F clash with Hungary. Instead the city is putting on a show of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community by raising Rainbow flags in areas not requiring the permission of UEFA.

The governing body deemed it to be a political statement given that Hungary is currently introducing restrictive new laws barring the promotion or visibility of homosexuality to those under the age of 18. It will mean that programmes or films which the Hungarian media authority deems to be so doing will not be able to be shown until after a 10 PM watershed.

The Irish and German Governments are among 14 across the EU that have condemned the new legislation.

 

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SCOTTISH CURSE AND ENGLISH HOPES

 

Poor auld Scotland exited the tournament last night at the hands of Croatia. It means the 11th departure from major finals without getting through the group stage, dating all the way back to 1954.

Ray Houghton brought up the point at the end of last night’s commentary that this was the first time England had come through the Group stage without conceding a goal since… 1966.

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SPONSOR ANALYSIS COMING UP

 

Join us tomorrow morning when we will have an interview with Daragh Persse of The Brand Fans looking at detailed analysis of how each of the main sponsors of the Euros have been activating and who has been doing best in terms of public sentiment.

 

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Today’s action from EURO2020 on RTÉ Sport

 

UEFA EURO 2020 – Wednesday 23 June at 5 pm on RTÉ2

Peter Collins is joined by Damien Duff and Richie Sadlier for live coverage of a final Group E game between Slovakia and Spain with Sweden and Poland on the RTÉ Player

UEFA EURO 2020 – Wednesday 23 June at 8 pm on RTÉ2

Darragh Maloney is joined by Didi Hamann and Liam Brady for live coverage of a final Group F game between Portugal and France with Germany v Hungary on the player.

 

UEFA, Heineken, Allianz and RTÉ Sport are among the 250+ members of the Sport for Business network of sporting and business organisations working together across a number of key areas.

 

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