UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin is certain \u201cgood old football with fans will come back very soon\u201d despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
Domestic and continental competitions were halted across Europe in mid-March due to the Covid-19 crisis, leading to the extension of 2019-20 campaign and the costly postponement of Euro 2020.<\/p>\n
The Bundesliga made a successful return to action behind closed doors at the weekend and many other leagues are preparing to resume in front of empty stands, with Ceferin confident the situation will soon improve.<\/p>\n
Asked whether he would bet a million dollars that Euro 2020 will be played in 2021, he told the Guardian: \u201cYes, I would. I don\u2019t know why it wouldn\u2019t be.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think that this virus will last forever. I think it will (change) sooner than many think.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a serious situation but it is going down now and we are being more cautious.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know more about the virus and in general I\u2019m an optimistic person.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t like this apocalyptic view that we have to wait for the second and third waves or even a fifth wave. People you know are likely to die one day, but do we have to be worried today? I don\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are ready and we will follow the recommendations of the authorities but I\u2019m absolutely sure, personally, that good old football with fans will come back very soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ceferin says the situation at UEFA is \u201cnot that alarming\u201d but says \u201cthere\u2019s a lot of work still to be done\u201d as it looks out for leagues and stakeholders.<\/p>\n
The president of European football\u2019s governing body does not think football will change forever as it \u201cdidn\u2019t change after the Second World War, or First World War, and it will not change because of a virus either\u201d.<\/p>\n
But UEFA is looking at changing some things, with Ceferin mentioning the potential of a \u201cluxury tax\u201d when the subject of financial fair play was broached.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they don\u2019t follow the rules they will always be sanctioned but of course we are (always) thinking about how we can improve our regulations and, if necessary, adapt to new times,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will not happen very soon but we are thinking of improving (FFP); modernizing it and doing something more about the competitive balance. We are also considering some sort of \u2018luxury tax\u2019, if it is possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, there are many ideas but trust me, during these difficult times we have stopped thinking more or less about changes that will happen in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow we have to steer our ship on to the right course and we are close to doing it. Then, when things calm down, we will go back to the old tasks.\u201d<\/p>\n