Roxana Maracineanu hails a Euro "symbol" of the reopening of borders

Laetitia Drevet 11:00 a.m., December 16, 2021

INTERVIEW

The kickoff of the Euro was whistled on Friday evening.

The matches are scheduled until July 11 in a dozen European stadiums.

"It is a symbolic Euro because it makes it possible to reopen the borders at least in the minds of the supporters", greets Roxana Maracineanu, Minister of Sports, guest of Europe 1 on Saturday morning.

"That it takes place in 11 countries, that sport makes it possible to meet, to live together, to thrill for the same competition everywhere on the European continent, it is something beautiful. And we need it."

Different health instructions from one country to another

If the supporters can finally reach the stands after a year of waiting because of the pandemic, the health instructions vary from one country to another.

In Budapest, all the seats can be filled, while in Saint Petersburg the stadium will only be half full.

For the rest, the gauge will oscillate between 20 and 30% of the normal capacity.

"This championship will be a bit special because of these rules which vary from one country to another. It is a headache for the players and especially for the supporters," admits the minister. 

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No match will be played in France, but aficionados will be able to meet in bars - until 11 p.m. - and in the few fan-zones open for the occasion.

"Until June 30, the gauge will be the same as in the stadiums, that is to say 5,000 people or 65% of the capacity," recalls Roxana Maracineanu.

Those present must remain seated and respect the barrier gestures.

If some municipalities, such as Saint-Denis, have decided to mobilize from the first match of the Blues, Tuesday, June 15, most large cities, such as Paris, Lyon and Nice, prefer to wait until July and the lifting of certain restrictions. .

But many municipalities, like those of Lens and Nîmes, have already declined, deeming the protocol too strict.