What happens to Euro 2020 with coronavirus?

The chaos that is enveloping sporting events around the world is unprecedented. After the rumors about the possible postponement of the Olympics, other major sporting events are also constantly monitoring the situation, also to have a plan B available as soon as possible.
This is the case of Euro 2020, which in 100 days will kick off its 16th edition in 60 years of history. Just to celebrate the round figure, UEFA has opted for the first itinerant version of the European championship. After the first editions with the double host nation (Euro2000 in Belgium and Holland, Euro2008 in Switzerland and Austria and Euro2012 in Poland and Ukraine), the new format includes 12 locations: Copenhagen, Bucharest, Amsterdam, Dublin, Bilbao, Budapest, Glasgow , Baku, Rome, Munich, St. Petersburg and London.

Is what was to be a new version of Euro2020 likely to become the main threat?
The itinerant edition, considering the consequences and damages of the coronavirus, can in all respects represent a high risk. UEFA knows this, the nations most affected by the virus know it, the thousands of fans who had already planned to follow their country's team know it. Unfortunately, the data confirm the danger of an event of this magnitude. From 31 December 2019 to 4 March there were 93.076 cases and 3.202 deaths (3.4%). The European countries, to date, estimate 5.870 infections, with Italy - the country that will host the inaugural match - as the worst hit venue (2.502). Germany follows with 196, Spain with 151, the United Kingdom with 51, Holland with 28, Denmark with 8, Romania and Russia with 4, Azerbaijan closes with 3.

Numbers that, if declined to a continental competition, could scare insiders. Between false alarms and concrete concerns, the fate of Euro2020 remains uncertain. Although Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA president, wants to focus only on the organizational aspects, preaching calm and precaution, the idea of a postponement or a solution that protects everyone's health is almost physiological: athletes, organizers and fans.

The unpredictability of the situation, however, would recommend the realization of a plan B, but at the same time the organizers do not lose hope, guided by the optimism of other numbers. The already celebrated "record edition" to date has seen a request for tickets close to 30 million, without considering the 37 thousand questions (from 159 different countries) to be among the volunteers during the event. The idea of Platini's memory of "uniting Europe" could be shattered by a growing fear of something never faced.

The calm of UEFA's #1 and concerns about a traveling version - with the anticipation that it will be difficult to see it repeated in the future due to too many legislative, monetary and now even health difficulties - are contrasted by the words of Gianni Infantino, president of the FIFA:

Coronavirus certainly cannot be underestimated, but one should not panic. I am not personally worried, we have to seriously look into the problem, but we must not overreact. I wouldn't rule out anything right now. I hope we will never have to go in that direction.

One of the most anticipated competitions will begin in 100 days and the sensations are very close to those of the Olympics: there is optimism, there is a desire to continue the planned path, but at the same time you perceive the need to protect yourself with a plan in case of emergency.