Vice-President Michele Uva couldn’t say when the season may resume but revealed UEFA prioritise the national Leagues and how Financial Fair Play will “not be frozen”.
The European Cups and Leagues are suspended due to the current pandemic affecting the whole world and different hypotheses have been suggested to limit the economical damage faced by football.
The different Associations are working on different solutions to resume play during the summer months, but UEFA has also received criticism for acting too late.
Vice-President Michele Uva couldn’t say when the season may resume but revealed UEFA prioritise the national Leagues and how Financial Fair Play will “not be frozen”.
The European Cups and Leagues are suspended due to the current pandemic affecting the whole world and different hypotheses have been suggested to limit the economical damage faced by football.
The different Associations are working on different solutions to resume play during the summer months, but UEFA has also received criticism for acting too late.
Vice-President Uva claimed “it’s impossible” to set a date and “contested” the critics by pointing out the need of efficiency through a “unique and harmonious” path.
“Anyone who indicates a date at this time, does so either emotionally or driven by finding an advantage,” he told Tuttosport. “It’s not possible to give an answer. The one who answers now, has not come to terms with the reality that surrounds us.
“I contest those who claim we moved late, we sought unanimity on March 17 and found it thanks to the work we had previously done. To be effective you must move in a unique and harmonious way. The strength and leadership of President [Aleksander] Ceferin was evident.”
Uva has revealed that UEFA prioritise the conclusion of the domestic Leagues before planning the final rounds for the Champions League and the Europa League, but added that the Financial Fair Play will still be in place.
“The political and sports government will decide [if football will resume behind closed doors], but care must be taken to fill the stadiums,” he said. “Priority has been given to complete the championships, of course with the integration of the windows to conclude the European Cups.
“The answer will come according to the resumption of the national Leagues. But one thing is certain; the Financial Fair Play and the control systems will be there and will not be frozen.
“They will not be cancelled, even if some adjustments will be made to deal with the tsunami that has swept the world and therefore also football.”
Players’ Association President in Italy Damiano Tommasi gets support from the Vice-President of UEFA after underlining that the players’ salaries “aren’t a priority, but that interventions are necessary”.
“I believe that even the players agree that the system remains upright,” he said. “Through common sense, we will find the shared and appropriate path.”
The Vice-President also confirmed that UEFA are also set to arrange the European Championship for the Women and the Under-21 in 2021, but the two competitions will depend on the Olympic Games.