Wembley ‘could host 65,000 football fans’ for Euros semi-final and final

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Wembley will host more than 60,000 fans for the final stages of the Euros after minister sealed a deal with Uefa despite concerns from Germany and Italy.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden hailed the agreement European football’s ruling body over coronavirus restrictions saying he is ‘thrilled’ the games can go ahead.

To allow 75 per cent capacity at Wembley all ticket holders will need to follow strict rules including testing negative or having proof of being double-jabbed.

The news comes despite the WHO voicing concern about increasing capacity for fans when cases are rising, and Angela Merkel saying she did not want to see ‘packed stadiums’ in the UK. 

Downing Street has also dismissed a call from Italian PM Mario Draghi for the final to be moved to Rome. 

‘We are looking forward to putting on a fantastic semi-final and final at Wembley and will do so safely and securely,’ a No10 spokesman said.

Uefa has been pushing for 2,500 VIPs to attend the final on July 11 without being subjected to the quarantine requirements that apply to other international travellers.

It is unclear what compromise has been reached on that point, although ministers had insisted some restrictions would remain in place.

The 90,000-seater stadium has been operating at a capacity of just 22,500 for the tournament group stages. 

‘WHO is concerned about easing of restrictions in some of the host countries,’ said Robb Butler, an executive director at its Regional Office for Europe. 

‘A few of the stadiums hosting the tournament are now increasing the number of spectators allowed into the stadium to watch a game.’ 

It is expected people who were stripped of tickets when the numbers were reduced will be first in line for the new allocation. 

Reports had suggested the final could be shifted to Budapest if a deal could not be reached, with the Italians also pushing for their capital to be used.

In a statement this afternoon, Mr Dowden said: ‘We are thrilled that more fans will now be able to walk through the Wembley turnstiles and enjoy the finals of EURO 2020.

‘As we continue to make progress on our roadmap out of lockdown, keeping the public safe remains our top priority. We have worked extremely closely with UEFA and the FA to ensure rigorous and tight public health measures are in place whilst allowing more fans to see the action live.

‘The finals promise to be an unforgettable moment in our national recovery from the pandemic.’

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said: ‘The last 18 months have taught us – both on and off the pitch – how integral fans are to the fabric of the game.

‘This tournament has been a beacon of hope to reassure people that we are returning to a more normal way of life and this is a further step along that road.’

Culture minister Baroness Barran said on Monday that VIPs or accredited guests would not be exempt from Government restrictions but instead only be able to leave isolation for official events, would be subject to testing and bubble arrangements, and a ‘very strict code of conduct’ would be in place.

England take on the Czech Republic at Wembley tonight and the stadium is also set to host five knockout games, including both semi-finals and the final.

Crowds of at least 40,000 had been expected for the final four games despite the decision to delay the final easing of coronavirus restrictions, with the matches forming part of the coronavirus pilot events research programme.

But the numbers are now set to be considerably higher than that.

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin today, Mrs Merkel said UEFA needed to act ‘responsibly’ over the matches.

‘I hope that UEFA will act responsibly with regard to the Euro matches. I would not like to see packed stadiums there, and I support all efforts made by the British government to enforce the necessary hygiene measures,’ she said.

When asked during a news conference in Berlin last night whether the final should be moved to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, which has also been hosting games at the tournament, Draghi insisted he would try and move the location away from Wembley.

He said: ‘Yes … I will try to stop the final being held in a country where infections are rising quickly.’ 

Meanwhile, Tories have voiced fears that data on large test events has not been published because ‘it would have demonstrated that we could have safely opened on June 21″.

Mark Harper, who chairs the lockdown-sceptic Covid Recovery Group, said he suspects the numbers are ‘fantastically positive’ after test events held at sporting, music and other venues have not caused any Covid-19 outbreaks and he is ‘a little confused’ as to why the numbers have not been released.

An urgent question on the Events Research Programme (ERP) was raised on Tuesday, one day after music festival Kendal Calling cancelled its 2021 edition citing a lack of guidance from the Government.

Organisers said the lack of a Government-backed insurance scheme and the delay to the publication of results from the ERP had contributed to the ‘heart-breaking’ decision.

Speaking during the session, Mr Harper said: ‘I’m a little confused. Normally when the Government doesn’t publish something it’s normally because it’s bad news and it’s trying to hide it away.

‘I’ve got a very strong suspicion this set of data is fantastically positive. It must be ready for publication, because it must have been prepared for last week when step 4 was due to be announced so it must be ready to go.

‘My fear is it demonstrated the opposite of the decision the Prime Minister announced last week. It would have demonstrated that we could have safely opened on June 21. That’s the real reason why it hasn’t been published, so why doesn’t he publish it today and put our minds at rest?’

Responding, culture minister Nigel Huddleston said: ‘Some of the conspiracy theories around this, I’m afraid, I wouldn’t buy into.