Introduction
Football fans across the world were left disappointed to find out that one of the biggest teams, England, had pulled out of the Euro 2020 tournament. The Euro 2020 competition saw 24 teams from different European countries competing against each other. However, England wasn’t among them. Why did England decide not to participate this year?
The Brexit effect
Brexit played a significant role in England’s decision to not participate in this year’s Euro tournament. With the country being out of the European Union, the participation rules were different for UK citizens compared to EU citizens. The tournament involves a lot of travelling across Europe, and the strict Covid-19 protocols in each country made the task complicated. The UK government did not want to take any chances of their citizens getting stranded in another country or risk spreading the virus.
COVID-19 restrictions
The UK government also put strict Covid-19 regulations in place for people travelling abroad during the pandemic. Anyone travelling outside the country had to adhere to a strict set of rules, including quarantining for ten days upon returning to the country. For players returning to their clubs, it would mean a delay in their return, which could have affected the teams’ performance in upcoming matches. Due to the pandemic, it was also uncertain whether fans would be allowed to attend the games, significantly impacting the revenue generated from the tournament.
Player welfare
The players’ welfare is always a top priority for any football team. With many of the players participating in the recently-concluded European football club tournaments, they were already physically and mentally fatigued. The players played an intense domestic season followed by a major European contest, which took a toll on their bodies. England has some of the best players in football, and their inclusion would have strengthened the tournament’s overall quality. However, the risk of injuries or burnout to key players was too high for the UK football association to take.
Conclusion
In conclusion, England’s decision to not participate this year was a disappointment for many fans worldwide. Their absence was felt in the tournament, with their team comprising some of the best players in world football. However, the decision was made with the best interests of the players and their fans in mind. With the uncertainties of Covid-19, Brexit, and player welfare, the risks outweighed the benefits in this instance. Hopefully, fans can look forward to seeing England back in action and competing for the Euro 2024 title.