England were handed a one-match stadium ban by UEFA on Monday, October 18, following the unrest and disorder that took place before and during the EURO 2020 final but how will England’s stadium ban impact future major tournament bids?
How England’s Stadium Ban Can Impact World Cup 2030 Bid?
2030 World Cup Bid in the Balance
On July 11, fans clashed with stewards and police inside and outside the Wembley Stadium. Some managed to breach security and entered the ground without tickets, while fighting broke out inside and outside the stadium.
It is the first time England have been punished with a stadium ban, which will be in effect for England’s next home match – a Nations League fixture in June 2022.
Although fans will return to Wembley after the ban, the long-term implications could be more worrying for the FA. The behaviour of the fans at the final and the repercussions could affect England’s chances of hosting a major tournament in the future.
One of the most severe knock-on effects of the chaos outside Wembley on July 11 will be the impact on any future bids England makes to host the Euros or the World Cup. The UK and Ireland are organising a bid for the 2030 World Cup, and the recent troubles outside Wembley during the Euro 2020 final could tarnish any chances of a successful bid.
In the days since UEFA’s recent announcement, confirming the two-match stadium ban and the €100,000 fine for the unrest, there has been scepticism about England’s capabilities for hosting a major tournament.
The bid is still set to go ahead, and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has explained that the trouble would not count against a joint UK and Irish bid for a major tournament. However, without effective security measures and the guaranteed safety of fans, which was clearly lacking at the Euro final, it is unlikely any World Cup bid will be considered.
Another Bidding Disappointment for England
The Euro 2020 finals, which took place in various venues and cities across Europe, had six fixtures at Wembley, including two semi-finals and the final. Wembley’s heavy involvement in the Euros was considered an audition for the country to show its capabilities for hosting a major tournament in the future.
Losing the 2030 World Cup bid would be a significant setback for the English FA. The most recent English bid to host a World Cup ended disastrously as the bid for the 2018 World Cup only received two of 22 votes.
While England and the UK has the infrastructure to host a major tournament, in theory, the behaviour of some football fans, along with the inability to police and patrol crowds safely and effectively, may have ended any hopes of a major tournament bid in the future.
With competition coming from the likes of China, a combined Spain and Portugal bid and a joint bid from several South American countries, it is unlikely that the UK and Ireland will emerge as strong favourites to host the 2030 World Cup following the recent unrest outside Wembley. The unsavoury scenes have yet again stained the reputation of English football. The impacts of which will last well beyond the stadium ban in 2022.
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