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Berlin (AP) - Philipp Lahm excludes a European football championship with Germany as the only host this summer.

"This is currently absolutely not a scenario, I can say that very clearly," emphasized the 2014 world champion and chief organizer of the EM 2024 in an interview with the editorial network Germany.

"Of course, nobody can predict what will happen in the coming months, but at the moment there is absolutely no question of the tournament taking place exclusively in Germany," emphasized the 37-year-old.

Due to the ongoing problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic, alternative models for the planned twelve-nation tournament from June 11th to July 11th are being debated.

Lahm still believes in the EM in a dozen countries.

"It was and remains a good idea," he said.

The German Football Association had always held back in the debate, as it had already been designated the sole host of the following tournament in three years.

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For Lahm, politics is more of a challenge than football.

«If the plans have to be adjusted due to the corona pandemic, these decisions are no longer with UEFA, but one level above: with politics.

But currently it is still the case that the EM will take place in twelve cities, "said the managing director of the DFB Euro GmbH for 2024.

If necessary, the tournament would have to take place in the stadiums without spectators.

“It's a shame, but that's one of several options.

There is already hope that the fans can return to the stadium.

Of course, football is nicer with spectators.

I don't think we'll be able to use the stadiums 100 percent by the time the tournament is on.

But we put hope in everything below that, ”said Lahm.

According to current planning, the EM should kick off on June 11th in Rome.

The semi-finals and final (July 11th) are to be played in London.

The three group games of the German national team against world champions France (June 15), defending champions Portugal (June 19) and co-hosts Hungary (June 23) as well as a quarter-finals (July 2) are scheduled in Munich.

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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210220-99-520292 / 2

Profile Lahm on the DFB homepage

Interview Lahm "RND"