Despite coronavirus: more fans in Euro 2020 stadiums
The British government has decided to permit 60,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium for the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final - which amounts to two-thirds capacity. Observers see this as a concession to Uefa, not least because there was speculation about moving the matches to Budapest. Meanwhile, Finland in particular is reporting an increase in coronavirus infections among football tourists.
Championship in ignorance
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung feels rather uncomfortable about the prospect of a Wembley stadium full of fans:
“[I]n Finland, the number of fans who were infected with the virus on a trip to St. Petersburg is growing, and in Denmark, mass testing was conducted on 4,000 spectators after three tested positive for the Delta variant. ... In light of the uncertainty about the consequences of the Delta variant spreading, the English government could have made better decisions than to throw open the doors of irresponsibility. By insisting on spectators (and as many as possible), Uefa has launched a cynical competition, a European championship of ignorance.”
Our fate depends on the returning fans
Ilta-Sanomat reminds readers that football tourists have a major responsibility during the pandemic:
“The football fans returning from Russia should understand that whether or not Finland can prevent the Delta variant spreading depends to a very large extent on their behaviour. If they have not been tested yet, they should do so immediately. ... The shock of St. Petersburg should be a lesson, and it is not too late yet. However, if we do not learn from it, we may have to face a difficult rest of the summer and new restrictions in the autumn.”