UEFA are threatening to move the final of Euro 2020 from Wembley to Budapest, unless the UK government waive quarantine rules for 2,500 travelling officials.
Discussions are currently taking place over whether to exempt UEFA and FIFA officials, politicians, sponsors and broadcasters from having to self-isolate upon arrival into the UK with the final of the tournament currently scheduled for Wembley on July 11.
Hungary are set to have no border restrictions within the Schengen zone from next week and would be able to host the games with full stadiums, while Wembley is currently set to be at half-capacity for the semi-finals and final.
The government are aware of a potential public backlash from relaxing quarantine rules for select VIPs however, especially given the current travel restrictions for arrivals into the UK as well as the decision to push back the lifting of domestic restrictions from June 21 to July 19.
Boris Johnson is understood to be open to the plans with the prime minister believing the decision could boost a joint Home Nations bid for the 2030 World Cup, providing Johnson with the opportunity to meet with senior figures from UEFA.
The threat comes after the government had previously offered to host the all-English Champions League final between Man City and Chelsea last month after Turkey had been placed on the red list, though a refusal to relax travel restrictions for VIP’s saw the showpiece event moved to Porto instead.
