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DUBLIN TO LOSE EURO 2020 HOSTING RIGHTS FOR POSTPONED GAMES

Dublin is one of three cities set to lose its European Championship hosting rights.

Ireland’s capital was one of 12 cities selected by Uefa as part of a first-ever pan-European hosting of the tournament, which was deferred by 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As the Irish Examiner reports, the 51,000-capacity national stadium is scheduled to stage three groups matches and a last-16 tie from June 14 but the cautious approach taken by the State around easing lockdown restrictions has raised doubts about that plan.

FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill admitted last week Dublin would only be retained by Uefa if health authorities permitted spectators back into stadia.

Mr Hill confirmed on delegates on Tuesday that he’d held a meeting with the government’s deputy chief medical officer Ronan Glynn earlier that day on the subject of Euro 2020, without divulging details.

It is understood that both Glasgow and Bilbao have also come under scrutiny due to a lack of guarantees around the return of spectators.

Ireland won’t be involved in the tournament taking place in 100 days’ times after losing a play-off semi-final last October.

Their conquerors, Slovakia, along with Poland and Sweden, are due to have fans arrive into Dublin for the matches during June.

Uefa will make a final decision on whether to change format in early April.