KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: The football federation of Italy, hardest hit of all European nations by coronavirus, will ask UEFA to postpone the finals of the 2020 European Championship.

The tournament is scheduled to be played between June 12 and July 12 in 12 countries across Europe and kicking off in Rome with a group match between Italy and Turkey.

Tomorrow [Tuesday] the European federation will stage three video conference meetings with national associations and other stakeholders to consider the options for not only Euro 2020 but the suspended Champions League and Europa League club tournaments.

Gabriele Gravina, president of the FIGC, told Italian media outlets: “We will propose to UEFA the delay of the European Championship. League competitions around Europe have been suspended. We still hope to get to the end of our own championship because it is fairer and more correct after the many investments and sacrifices of our clubs.”

Italian club football is currently suspended but Gravina said he hoped that Serie A could restart in June and finish by the end of the month.

On Sunday, Italy reported 368 more coronavirus deaths, a single-day record.

Spanish target

Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish league, has said he is “convinced” the Spanish top-flight season will finish.

The league was suspended on Thursday after the Real Madrid squad went into quarantine, and five Valencia players and staff tested positive over the weekend.

Spain is the second worst-hit country in Europe after Italy and is set to declare a national lockdown on Monday.

Tebas said: “I am convinced that we are going to end the season. We are working with other leagues to match dates.

“I have had contacts with Italy, Germany. The approach for now is to see what happens on Tuesday with Euro 2020 and then decide.

“The news is to see how we finish the championship if there is no Euro because, if not, we are going to have serious problems.

“We must be in good health, which is the first thing, of course. If the competitions are suspended, everything is reviewed and the income is much lower. All team budgets will be compromised if the competition is not over, but I am convinced that it will end.”

Other developments

Brazil: The coach and players of Gremio threatened to strike on Sunday in protest at being asked to play a match amid the coronavirus crisis. The national club competitions has been suspended but not state championships.

France: Federation president Noel Le Graet has urged the presidents of Lyon and Marseille to stop bickering about whether the Ligue 1 season should be declared null and void.

Mexico: The league has been suspended following the weekend matches.

###########