KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: Rome, after all, appears all set to stage the Opening Match of the rescheduled European Championship finals in June.

The Italian capital’s hosting at the Stadio Olimpico had been in question after Italian authorities were unable to join eight of the other staging nations in confirming that a percentage of fans will be able to attend matches.

However the government has told the Italian federation that it will permit the Olimpico to open to at least 25pc of its capacity.

Euro 2020 was postponed a year ago because of the Covid-19 pandemic and is being reorganised from June 11 to July 11.

Last week, the Italian government’s scientific technical committee said it could not give an opinion before the original April 19 deadline.

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina said:  “Italy and Rome are on board. The government approval of the public presence at Euro 2020 matches in Rome is wonderful news that we will immediately convey to UEFA.

“The message that the government sends to the country is one of great confidence and extraordinary vision. Italy is showing courage, fighting the pandemic and, at the same time, working to restart safely according to a clear and defined schedule and timetable ”.

Roma will host three group stage matches, including the Opener between Italy and Turkey on June 11, and one quarter-final.

Italy has recorded 115,088 Covid-19-related deaths since the outbreak emerged in February 2020, the second highest figure in Europe after that of the United Kingdom (127,100). The country has reported 3.79 million cases to date.