Report: UEFA considering delaying Euro 2020 by 1 year

UEFA will discuss the possibility of delaying the 2020 European Championship by one year in response to the coronavirus pandemic during a videoconference call with its members next week, according to Rob Harris of The Associated Press.

European football's governing body will speak with representatives of its 55 member associations on March 17 to discuss "all domestic and European competitions, including UEFA Euro 2020," it announced Thursday.

The statement reads:

In the light of the ongoing developments in the spread of COVID-19 across Europe and the changing analysis of the World Health Organization, UEFA has today invited representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro, to attend meetings by videoconference on Tuesday, (March 17) to discuss European football's response to the outbreak.

Moving the 24-team tournament - which is scheduled to take place from June 12 to July 12 in 12 different nations throughout the continent - to 2021 is the primary option UEFA officials are exploring, a source revealed to Harris.

A decision to delay the competition could allow domestic leagues to complete their respective seasons after several European leagues suspended play in order to prevent the spread of the infectious disease.

News of the meeting comes after La Liga suspended its season Thursday for two weeks after Real Madrid players were placed in quarantine over fears they may have been exposed to the coronavirus.

Madrid were scheduled to face Manchester City in the Champions League on the same day UEFA will meet with its members, but the match was officially postponed Thursday.

Juventus' Champions League encounter against Lyon in Turin was also called off after the Italian club confirmed Wednesday that defender Daniele Rugani tested positive for COVID-19.