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UEFA opened its bid for the 2032 European Championship on Thursday with the aim of making a selection at the same time as the host of the 2028 European Championship.
Although UEFA is looking to add hosts to its national team championships, it will consider taking out a women’s youth championship from Belarus in the midst of the incidents under the authoritarian leadership of Alexander Lukashenko.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has admitted that “we would not play” in Belarus if the 2025 European Under-19 Championships were held next year.
UEFA is in a better position to speed up the 2032 Euro competition to coincide with the 2028 Euro Cup. Bidders should choose “one or the other” option to target for a March deadline, Ceferin said at an online press conference after an executive committee meeting.
The 2028 Euro offer schedule was announced two months ago with a host to be selected in September 2023.
Italy, Russia and Turkey were expected to compete in the 2028 European Championship, with only one tournament planned.
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The addition of the 2032 tournament could be tempting in a joint country or bid that wants to be Europe’s top candidate to host the 2030 World Cup.
The Spain-Portugal candidacy and the joint candidacy of Great Britain and Ireland have long been seen as UEFA’s best options. Ceferin has repeatedly said that Europe will only propose to FIFA to avoid splitting its support.
2032 euro
Organizing the 2032 Euro Cup is unexpectedly early in the game, although the size of future editions of the tournament is unclear.
UEFA said in October that the current format of the 24 teams, which will be in force in Germany for the 2024 Euro Cup, was only temporary and could be changed for future tenders.
The bidding schedule may also change, Ceferin said on Thursday, with some of the 55 UEFA member federations showing interest in March.
UEFA has accelerated its host selection process by pushing FIFA to double the men’s World Cup every two years, instead of four every two years – in a full program of national team games that would tighten continental tournaments like the Euro.
World Cup debate
European and South American football leaders have strongly opposed FIFA’s biennial World Cup plan, warning of a boycott of their teams.
55 UEFA teams and 21 South American 10 FIFA national teams will be invited to a discussion on Monday about the World Cup’s ideas for competitions and schedules.
FIFA hoped that the online meeting in Doha (Qatar) could lead to a vote to approve the men’s and women’s World Cups every two years.
READ: COVID is causing a catastrophe in world sport as the rate of infection rises
The goal is not so clear now and Ceferin expressed doubt about how much he will achieve next Thursday.
“We don’t have a special strategy,” the UEFA president said when asked what commitments could be made. “The only thing we know is that it’s called the ‘Future of Football,’ which can mean a lot and mean nothing.”
Belarus issue
Ceferin acknowledged UEFA’s concern about his move to Belarus, following the discussion of Lukashenko’s re-election 16 months ago.
“We know now that the situation is not good in Belarus,” said Ceferin.
“We wouldn’t be in a hurry if we were in a hurry. We will make the decision when the time comes, ”he said.
Belarus was scheduled to host a women’s event this year before it was canceled like many other youth football tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
READ: UEFA is reluctant to commit to the FIFA World Cup
UEFA decided in April to postpone Belarus’ round to 2025, and was criticized by activists who had warned sports organizations about athletes targeted by the Lukashenko regime.
The same activists called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to take tougher action against Belarusian officials ahead of this year’s Tokyo Olympics, where the team’s treatment of sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya became a global humanitarian issue.
Club fundraising fund
UEFA has confirmed that Citi is working with US banks to create a $ 1 billion bailout fund for European clubs that have lost revenue in the pandemic.
Funds should allow clubs to use UEFA money from future Champions League and other European club competitions as collateral for loans.
“Initially, clubs will be given the opportunity to restructure their existing transfers for longer payment periods,” UEFA said, adding that the fund could be up and running later this season.
Vaccine Program
A UEFA promotional video will encourage players who appear to be doctors to be vaccinated.
“We have to be smart. People are not stupid, people understand when you explain them in a nice way, ”said Ceferin, who is inoculated.
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