Uefa want special treatment for VIP's | Vital Football

Uefa want special treatment for VIP's

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Alert Team
Uefa threat over Euro 2020 final at Wembley
Football body warns it will take match from London to Hungary unless quarantine waived for 2,500 officials

Patrick Maguire, Red Box Editor
Friday June 18 2021, 12.01am, The Times
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Champions League
Euro 2020
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Wembley will be at 50 per cent of its 90,000 capacity for the semi-finals on July 6 and 7, as well as the final on July 11
FRANK AUGSTEIN/AP
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Thousands of VIPs will be allowed into England without the need to quarantine under plans to stop the final of the European Championship being moved from Wembley to Budapest, The Times can reveal.
Ministers are discussing a proposal to exempt Uefa and Fifa officials, politicians, sponsors and broadcasters from having to self-isolate on arrival despite concerns that this could lead to an increase in coronavirus infections and provoke a backlash from the public.
About 2,500 designated VIPs attending games at Wembley would not have to abide by the quarantine restrictions imposed on ordinary travellers. They would be allowed to attend matches at Wembley during the knockout phase of the tournament as well as training sessions and meetings with the UK government.

Ministers are concerned that if they do not relax the rules the semi-finals and final will be moved to Hungary, which will have no border restrictions for travel within the Schengen zone from next week and would host the games with full stadiums.

Cabinet ministers are understood to have acknowledged that amending the law on border restrictions for VIPs could cause controversy at a time when millions of Britons are unable to take holidays abroad.

There have also been talks within government on the public health risks and the potential for exempted travellers to contract the Delta, or Indian, variant in Britain.
UEFA today said that it is “delighted” that at least half of Wembley’s capacity will be used for the knock-out matches. It said in a statement: “We are in discussions with the local authorities to try to allow fans of the participating teams to attend the matches, using a strict testing and bubble concept that would mean their stay in the UK would be less than 24 hours and their movements would be restricted to approved transport and venues only.”
Boris Johnson is said to be drawn to the plans on the grounds that they could boost a joint Home Nations bid for the 2030 World Cup. The proposed exemptions would allow the prime minister to meet senior figures from Uefa, the sport’s governing body in Europe, in person as he attempts to secure their backing for the first major international tournament held entirely on British soil since 1996.
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Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring in England’s 1-0 victory over Croatia at Wembley
CATHERINE IVILL/REUTERS
Any relaxation of border restrictions would involve a strict set of public health measures. With the exception of England, Wales and Scotland, every national team competing at the tournament apart from red-listed Turkey is on the amber list.



Up to ten days’ isolation is needed for those returning from amber and red destinations. If approved by the cabinet’s Covid-O committee and passed by parliament, the changes could result in a small number of red-list travellers avoiding quarantine.
Wembley will be at 50 per cent of its 90,000 capacity for the semi-finals on July 6 and 7, as well the final on July 11.
Aleksander Ceferin, the Uefa president, told the government last week that Britain’s border restrictions were too strict compared with those in the EU and that other European cities were willing and able to host matches scheduled to be played at Wembley.
 
I really hope our Government don't bend for this. Let another outbreak happen in Hungary if they really want it.