A PITY, but it's not all bad news for Irish football fans.
Dublin has officially lost its Euro 2020 games, and the games will now take place in St Petersburg.
UEFA confirmed that it had required an assurance of a minimum of 25 per cent spectator attendance at each game, which the Irish Government was unable to meet due to Covid restrictions.
However, UEFA also confirmed to the FAI that it is welcoming a candidature by Dublin to host one of the European club finals after 2023.
The FAI confirmed the news in a statement released on Friday.
UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis said: "UEFA acknowledge the disappointment within Irish football that we have had to take this decision but we have made a commitment for fans to be part of the UEFA EURO 2020 Tournament. We just cannot have a game without any fans and an empty stadium at EURO 2020.
"We fully understand that it was very difficult for the Dublin Local Organising Structure to find a way to make this possible within the necessary timeframe."
Minister of State for Sport & The Gaeltacht Jack Chambers added: "We are all very disappointed with today’s announcement.
"However, I understand that this was a difficult decision from UEFA’s point of view. I just want to take this opportunity to acknowledge all of the people who have worked so hard over the past few years preparing to host the games in Dublin.
"However, given the uncertain times in which we are living it was not possible to deliver the games in the manner UEFA would have wished. I am confident that the experience gained by all concerned will put Ireland in a good position to attract such events in the future."
Euro 2020 was due to take place last summer, but was rescheduled for the summer of 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
