Introduction
For the first time in over 50 years, England did not participate in the European Championships, commonly known as the Euro. This absence was a shock to the world of football, especially considering that England has a strong footballing tradition and currently boasts some of the best players in Europe. So what was the reason behind England’s absence from Euro 2020? Let’s take a closer look.
The Pandemic and Euro 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the footballing world and the organization of Euro 2020. Due to the pandemic, the tournament was postponed from its original dates in the summer of 2020 and rescheduled for June and July 2021. Additionally, UEFA (the governing body of European football) made it clear that each participating country would have to adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
England’s Group Matches Location
One of the factors that led to England’s decision not to participate in Euro 2020 was the location of the team’s group matches. The group stage was split between 12 different host cities, ranging from Baku in Azerbaijan to St. Petersburg in Russia. England’s group was to be held in London, Glasgow, and Rome. However, due to COVID-19 concerns, the English Football Association (FA) was reluctant to commit to playing matches in countries where the infection rates were particularly high.
Concerns Around International Travel
In addition to concerns around COVID-19 infection rates in certain countries, there were also worries about the safety of international travel. The UK had implemented strict rules around international travel to and from Britain, including quarantine periods upon arrival in the UK. This led to concerns among players and members of the English FA about the disruption caused to the Premier League schedule and fears that players could miss out on the start of the season due to travel restrictions.
Conclusion
Overall, the decision for England not to participate in Euro 2020 was a complex one, with multiple factors at play. Ultimately, it was viewed by many as a sensible decision, given the ongoing concerns around the pandemic and the safety of players. However, it was certainly disappointing for fans across the country, who would have relished the opportunity to see some of Europe’s top players competing on English soil. Nonetheless, the hope is that England will be back in action for future European Championships and will continue to strive for success on the international stage.
